If, twenty years ago, Czechs and Slovaks had not formed two independent states, the relationships between the two nations within one state would not be as good. This is what Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and Czech President Václav Klaus mutually agreed on Tuesday. President Klaus is on his farewell visit to Bratislava at the end of his presidential term. “I am convinced that those relationships would not be as good or as sincere, and there would not be such good cooperation if we still shared a common state,” President Gašparovič said after a meeting with Klaus. Slovakia in a common state with the Czechs was not always in an equal position, he said, which has changed in an independent state.
“It does not matter whether we are called Czechoslovakia or the Czech and Slovak Republic, when those relationships work and are good. It’s good the way it is,” he added. Czech President Klaus agrees with Gašparovič. “I’ve lived in this country for decades and I know a number of mutual mistrusts. I’m convinced we benefited from this division”. On March 8, he will be replaced in office by Miloš Zeman, the winner of last month’s presidential elections in the Czech Republic. Klaus stressed that in particular over the last decade he had very friendly relations with President Gašparovič, saying that he is and wants to remain a great friend to Slovakia. “The new president will feel about Czech-Slovak relations in much the same way,” said Klaus referring to Zeman. Gašparovič thanked Klaus for his cooperation and appreciated his more than twenty years of service as prime minister and as president that was beneficial not only for the Czech Republic, but also for Slovakia. Later today, President Klaus will meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico before leaving.
Gavin Shoebridge
