Slovak & Czech parliaments to commemorate Czechoslovakia's centenary

Slovak & Czech parliaments to commemorate Czechoslovakia's centenary

The above-standard relationship between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is also being confirmed by the cooperation between the two countries' parliaments, Slovak Parliamentary Chairman Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) concurred with the Czech Parliament's Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, Jan Hamáček, following their meeting on Tuesday. The two discussed the year 2018, which will be marked by several significant anniversaries, including the passing of 100 years since the founding of the first common state. Heads of offices of the two parliaments should prepare a proposal on how to remind the public of this anniversary through the work of parliaments and their history. They should also make use of the Czech Chamber of Deputies' rich archive. "I believe we'll prepare a very dignified event that will enable the public to study the development and history of parliamentary democracy," said Danko. The two chairmen also touched on the issue of cooperation in the field of defence and the acquisition of jet fighters for the Slovak military. Following Monday's talks with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Danko admitted that one of the possibilities is to hold talks with the Czech partners on joining the Czech airspace defence contract. Danko stressed the importance of a transparent selection process and ensuring the jet fighters' acquisition or rental without focusing on a single particular brand. "It's important that the Slovak Government adopts a concept for the Slovak Military's rearmament comparable to the one which has already been adopted by the Czech Republic, and that it subsequently sets the priorities of its land and air forces, which is important in terms of establishing finance and the transparent selection of aircraft. I would not prefer any plane or model at the moment," stated Danko. Hamáček said that a discussion is still open on the Czech side as to whether to increase the number of Gripen jet fighters used by the Czech military or not. Concerning Slovakia's potential help to the Czech Republic with joining the eurozone, Danko said that Slovakia is ready to share its both positive and negative experiences from adopting and introducing the euro with its Czech partners. Hamáček said that the Czech Republic should not adopt the euro sooner than it is advantageous for the country to do so from economic and social viewpoints. However, it must monitor the development in the eurozone.

Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: TASR

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