The Treaty of Lisbon and energy security were the most prominent topics discussed by Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and European Parliament Chairman Jerzy Buzek in Bratislava on November 18. The EP Speaker visited Slovakia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that brought down the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. "I have great respect for those who fought for freedom and democracy," Buzek told the TASR newswire.
Gašparovič said he was pleased with the fact that a politician from a neighbouring country - Poland - has become the EP Chair. He told Buzek that Slovakia welcomed the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, which had been put on hold until Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed the document earlier this month.
The two politicians discussed the current running of the EU, and the Slovak president noted that "it isn't good that the EU is beginning to run on exemptions". Buzek also discussed energy security with Gašparovič stressing that Slovakia has welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Swedish EU presidency in this sphere that attempt to avoid a repeat of last January’s gas crisis.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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