The third joint meeting between the Czech and Slovak governments confirmed the excellent relations existing between the two countries

On Tuesday 12 May 2015, Valtice Castle in southern Moravia hosted the third joint meeting of the Czech and Slovak governments. Members of the government cabinets of both countries, headed by Prime Ministers Bohuslav Sobotka and Robert Fico, discussed current issues being addressed by individual ministries and stepping up cooperation between the two countries.

The main topics of the meeting between the two Prime Ministers and individual ministers, concerned preparations for the June European Council session in Brussels, joint projects and the cross-border transport infrastructure, primarily high-quality and effective transport links between the two countries. This is particularly important for the development of economic cooperation and to promote business and investment.

Other topics of today’s meeting included the drawdown of European Funds, defence cooperation and central European regional cooperation. The Prime Ministers also discussed the issue of the EU’s possible introduction of quotas for refugees, and agreed to issue a joint negative statement, asserting that the acceptance of immigrants must remain within the exclusive competence of national governments.

The Prime Ministers also agreed to hold a historical first meeting of representatives of the Czech and Slovak tripartite bodies, which is due to take place this year, in November, in Slovakia.

At the conclusion of the joint meeting, the Prime Ministers of both countries presented a Joint Declaration by the Prime Ministers of the CR and the SR, which summarises the results of today’s meeting and the main areas of Czech-Slovak cooperation.

Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of Finance, Andrej Babiš and Peter Kažimír today signed a Memorandum on Cooperation in the field of liquidity management and short-term loans.

Both cabinets are due to meet for a further, fourth consecutive joint meeting, in 2016. This time the Czech Government will visit its partner in Slovakia.