President: No Misunderstandings between Gov'ts Can Harm Czech-Slovak Relations

Bratislava, November 19 (TASR) - The relationship between the Slovak and Czech nations is of such high quality, so sincere and cordial that it cannot be harmed by any temporary misunderstanding between the current governments, President Peter Pellegrini agreed with Czech ex-president Vaclav Klaus while receiving him and his wife in the Presidential Palace in Bratislava on Tuesday, TASR has learnt from the President Office's communication department. Pellegrini described Klaus as an inspirational figure, a "well of experience" in the case of Czech-Slovak relations. He recalled that it was Klaus and [then Slovak premier] Vladimir Mečiar who held crucial political talks about the formation of the independent Slovak and Czech Republics. "It will forever be written in world history that this split was carried out in a peaceful, cultivated and no-violent manner," noted Pellegrini. He also stated that during the ten years in the presidential office, Klaus spoke with Slovak political leaders from both the left and the right-wing environments and they always managed to maintain above-standard relations between the countries. "We come from different political and ideological backgrounds, but we definitely agree on one thing - defending the national interests of our homeland is the duty of every president, regardless of his/her political story. Mr. Klaus has this mission accomplished, while I will try my best to fulfil it," added Pellegrini. ko/mcs