BRATISLAVA, June 1, (WEBNOVINY)- The head of Slovak diplomacy Miroslav Lajcak had an official meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Martonyi in Budapest on Friday. They agreed that relations between Bratislava and Budapest are actually better than their picture presented in the media. “We have mentioned it several times that our relations, and I say it due to questions pertaining to the world’s perception of our relations, are substantially better than their interpretation in the public,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi at a news conference broadcast by news channel TA3.
Lajcak agreed with his counterpart saying that relations between the countries are substantially more complex, more positive and of higher quality than a certain segment that receives the most intensive media coverage. Both ministers however acknowledge that there exist issues on which the countries‘ opinions differ. “Joint interests of both courtiers are much more important and serious than discussions and controversies,” remarked Martonyi.
Lajcak pledges that in case of any problems Slovakia will communicate openly as a neighbor and ally and via diplomatic channels. “We will not be exchanging messages via media or sending messages over the Danube,” said the Slovak minister. Martonyi praised the attitude of the new government of Slovakia that wants to develop Slovak-Hungarian relations. Lajcak praised an invitation for an official visit to Budapest for Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic.
The two also opened up the issue of the joint Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydropower project on the Danube. Lajcak says that proxies of both countries for the waterworks will meet shortly and will discuss the implementation of the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague from 1997, when the court among others ordered both parties to the dispute to agree on its settlement. According to ministerial spokesman Boris Gandel, the first informal contacts with a view to agreeing a common approach and preparing for formal negotiations have taken place.
The ministers also spoke about the law on state citizenship. Lajcak underscored that the amendment to the law on which the government is working will abide by the decision of the Slovak Constitutional Court and all European standards. “The Slovak government is resolved to preserve minority rights in Slovakia,” Lajcak said.
SITA