Following joint talks at the Presidential Palace on Monday, the Presidents of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Zuzana Caputova and Petr Pavel, respectively, highlighted common views and values, noting that they create space for further cooperation. The heads of state pointed out during Pavel's first trip abroad that both countries also face similar challenges related to the geopolitical situation, energy and hybrid warfare. "We both grew up in the days of Czechoslovakia. It was our home, and today we can celebrate very friendly, positive and constructive relations between the two independent states," said Caputova, referring to the 30th anniversary of the division of Czechoslovakia. She also stated that both countries perceive an opportunity to expand cooperation, for example, in strengthening energy independence but also in climate protection, such as via support for renewable resources. The Slovak and Czech heads of state plan joint foreign trips as well. Caputova can also imagine closer cooperation between the countries and their presidents in the area of disinformation. According to Pavel, almost the same problems stem primarily from the conflict in Ukraine. Due to its impact on the economic and social situation, he expects tension in society. "It will be very important how sensitively we approach addressing our citizens, how consistently we remind them of the values on which our countries stand, how unambiguously we point out where the danger is, where the enemy is," he noted.
President Zuzana Caputova gifted Czech President Petr Pavel a cartoon by the Slovak cartoonist known as Shooty, while Pavel gave Caputova a jewelry set by a renowned Czech designer, TASR has learnt from Caputova's spokesman Martin Strizinec. As for the presidents' significant others, Czech First Lady Eva Pavlova received a brooch by a Slovak designer, while Caputova's partner Juraj Rizman got an outdoor jacket by a Czech manufacturer. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and Petr Pavel honoured the memory of the founders of the First Czechoslovak Republic (1918-1938) by laying wreaths at Tomas G. Masaryk and Milan Rastislav Stefanik Memorials in Bratislava on Monday. The Czech President and his wife also honoured the memory of the victims of last year's terrorist attack at a gay bar in Bratislava city centre and that of murdered journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. Asked about his opinion on same-sex marriage and allowing these people to adopt children, Pavel stated at a press conference that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities. According to him, a child should be given a chance to grow up in a space with material and emotional support. The Czech President rejected the oppression of any minorities and the creation of an atmosphere of fear. He also spoke against intimidation and physical violence against journalists, claiming that this was why his agenda in Bratislava included a visit to the Kuciak and Kusnirova Memorial.
Source: TASR
