 The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Miklič Türk, met the President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gašparovič, and his wife, Silvia Gašparovič, who had arrived on an official visit to Slovenia. After a reception ceremony with military honours and a talk between the two presidential couples, President Türk and President Gašparovič had a one-to-one meeting, followed by plenary talks between the delegation of the Republic of Slovenia and the delegation of the Slovak Republic, led by the respective presidents. |
 In his press statement after the talks, Dr Türk said that, following his official visit to the Slovak Republic, the two presidents had regularly met at various international meetings. According to him, today’s visit reaffirms the excellent political and economic relations between the two countries, and the very high degree of mutual respect and understanding. President Türk stressed there are a number of topics on which the two countries consult, most obviously economic co-operation, where, he stressed, the economies of the two countries were complementary. Prior to the economic crisis, the two countries had reached a significant level of trade, which slightly decreased last year; according to President Türk, there are, however, many opportunities for development. |
 President Türk said that Slovenia and Slovakia share many common views concerning the EU, its evolution and partnerships. He particularly emphasised the need for all voices in the EU to be heard, including the voices of smaller Member States, as only in this way the EU will be able to develop the common identity it needs. The two presidents also touched upon further enlargement of the EU, which is supported by both countries; in this area, special attention should be paid to the Western Balkan countries. Dr Türk outlined to his counterpart his views on relations between Slovenia and Croatia, and their joint initiatives concerning the Western Balkans. President Türk also highlighted the strategic importance of co-operation between the EU and its eastern neighbours. |
 President Gašparovič described his meeting with President Türk as frank and open. He also described relations between Slovenia and Slovakia as very good, adding that there were no obstacles to improving relations, in particular in the field of economic co-operation and trade. Despite both countries still facing the effects of the crisis, the President of the Slovak Republic believes that the crisis itself offers many opportunities for the enhancement of economic co-operation. In his view, the most promising areas are drawing on European funds, infrastructure projects and the energy sector. He also welcomed the Slovenian initiative to foster new forms of co-operation in tourism. |
 President Gašparovič expressed his positive view of international incentives and the important role of Slovenia concerning the countries of former Yugoslavia and their accession to the EU. The two presidents also addressed the Lisbon Treaty and the future of the EU. In this regard, President Gašparovič said that the Lisbon Treaty did not represent the end of EU reforms. The presidents also discussed co-operation between Slovenia and the Visegrad Group countries. President Gašparovič highlighted the importance of ties between smaller countries, while President Turk added that enhanced communication with the Western Balkan countries may result in a group of countries that could also offer some lessons for the EU as a whole. |
 Dr Türk and Dr Gašparovič also attended the Slovakian-Slovenian business forum, where both addressed an audience of business people from the two countries. In his address, President Türk said that Slovenia and Slovakia lie in the area between the Baltic and the Adriatic seas, where economic development in future will be most intensive, presenting an opportunity for both economies. President Gašparovič added that the level of development of both economies creates conditions for further enhanced forms of co-operation and joint projects. |