Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann paid a brief working visit to Slovakia on July 16 aimed at coordinating the stances of the two countries before a European Council session in Brussels later in the day. There, the future makeup of the European Commission was discussed but not finalised.
Transport and education ministers of Slovakia and Austria are to meet this autumn to discuss cooperation, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Faymann agreed.
“Austria and Slovakia often share the same views at European Council meetings, and we’ll also act in this way in tough decision- making processes this evening,” said Fico, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “We share the same views regarding the situation in Ukraine, and we share the same views concerning the importance of the Eastern Partnership.”
As far as bilateral ties are concerned, Fico said that there are no open political issues between Slovakia and Austria. Meanwhile, he praised the presence of Austrian entrepreneurs in Slovakia while expressing hope for further economic cooperation in the years ahead. Slovakia is interested in further development of transport infrastructure and in dual education, to which end these ministries should meet in October or November. Slovakia wants to find an inspiration in the Austrian model of dual education that contributes to low unemployment and
youth employment in the neighbouring country, Fico said as quoted by the SITA newswire.
According to Faymann, the only issue that divides the two countries is nuclear power. Austria gives preference to alternative sources of energy.
The ministers should discuss cooperation between airports in Bratislava and Schwechat and railway and road connections, SITA also specified.
(Source: TASR, SITA)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
