Hungarian President János Ader paid an official one-day visit to Slovakia today on Wednesday, at the invitation of President Andrej Kiska. Ader met the Slovak President Andrej Kiska and discussed with him a number of issues. Political relations between the two countries were high on the agenda. Both presidents agreed that relations between their countries are very good. President Andrej Kiska did not want to comment on some steps of the Hungarian government criticized by the European Union. "We are aware of all these topics and we have spoken with the President without problem about some of them," President Kiska told reporters. The Hungarian President then answered a journalist's question about efforts of the non-parliamentary party SMK concerning autonomy in parts of southern Slovakia. According to Ader, Slovakia has a stable constitutional system of institutions that with respect to freedom of expression should allow discussing all issues, including that of autonomy. Both parties commented on the issue of the life of ethnic minorities and the use of minority languages. Slovak President Kiska claims that he's convinced that ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia are have all the conditions to bring up their children in their own language and maintain their traditions, while Ader noted that Hungary tries to ensure that all minorities living in the country feel well as useful members of the Hungarian society and proudly report their national identity - even dual identity if they wish.
According to the Hungarian President Ader the current economic development and relations between Hungary and Slovakia could serve as an example for other states. As he added cooperation in trade has not even been adversely impacted by the economic crisis. On the other hand Slovak President Andrej Kiska noted Slovakia is looking for forward to cooperation in practical projects that will help further boost the currently good relationship, stressing that it's important to send such a signal to the citizens of both countries. Kiska also emphasized that Hungary is one of the five most important trade partners for Slovakia.
