Príloha 2
Vystúpenie predsedu vlády SR M. Dzurindu
na Európskej konferencii dňa 17. 4. 2003 v Aténach
na tému Spoločné susedstvo rozšírenej EÚ

	Dear Mr. President, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

	Allow me, first, to thank the Greek Presidency for convening the meeting of the European Conference to discuss the EU neighbourhood policies after the enlargement. Yesterday’s signing of the Accession Treaty has endorsed our mutual effort leading to the EU membership. The Slovak Republic believes that enlargement is providing the Union with a clear added value and giving a new impetus to dynamism of the European integration. Let me assure you that Slovakia is ready to play its part actively and with responsibility.
 
	A change of the geographical shape of the Union will undoubtedly reshape its political and economic perspectives, and refocus its priorities in a number of fields, including that of the foreign policy. The Union has succeeded in helping to establish stability, security, and prosperity in the acceding states. Now the EU is facing the challenge to continue in this endeavour further behind its new borders, with its new neighbours and neighbouring regions. This can be viewed as yet another benefit of the current enlargement process.  
	
	The Slovak Republic welcomes the fact that the Union has lately been intensively involved in discussions on strengthening its links and cooperation with its immediate surroundings. We have followed these discussions with great interest, as they overlap with our own foreign policy priorities that we will continue to develop also as an EU Member State. 

	Strengthening of democracy and political stability, economic development and market economy, suppression of negative phenomena such as organised crime, illegal immigration, and environmental pollution should be our ultimate aim. The development of the agreed new forms of the partnership cooperation between the enlarged Europe and its neighbours based on the shared values will be beneficial for both sides. Business cooperation, investment, economic growth, gradual improvement of the social situation in the neighbouring countries should lead to overall strengthening of confidence on and around the European continent, as well as to common understanding of the principles of tolerance and solidarity that are the cornerstone of the European integration.  

	In this context, Slovakia welcomes the Commission’s initiative „Wider Europe” as a complex and a forward looking proposal for a new EU approach based on partnership cooperation with the aim of developing a zone of friendly neighbourhood. Given the different positions and aspirations of the individual countries involved in the initiative let me stress our support of the differentiation principle enabling those making progress to accordingly enhance their relations with the Union. The Union’s new strategic framework should create such conditions and possibilities as to facilitate progress of those countries in the defined fields of cooperation. Also, we consider the instrument of benchmarking, as well as the perspective of conclusion of a new form of an agreement - the New Neighbourhood Agreement – on a case-by-case basis to be an important motivation factor.          

	Slovakia pays a special attention to the proposals targeted at the Union’s Eastern neighbourhood. We have gained much experience in dealing with the region, which will naturally focus our efforts on this area in the future. As far as our direct neighbour Ukraine is concerned we support elaboration of as concrete an Action plan/Road map as possible for further development of the Union’s relations with this largest immediate neighbour of the enlarged Union. This would encourage Ukrainian course towards European institutions. Slovakia considers the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia to be vital as well.

	An intensive dialogue with the Mediterranean partners through this neighbourhood partnership is undoubtedly its great contribution. Especially in these days we feel how important it is to keep a contact as close as possible with the Mediterranean and Middle East countries. We have to support all steps, which will bring more democracy and stability to this region so that it becomes an area of peace, stability and prosperity in the future.
	
	The EU has already been implementing a genuine and a well functioning strategy to a part of its neighbourhood – the Western Balkans. The Balkans is, therefore, not explicitly dealt with in the Union’s new vision. Let me stress, however, that this region close to the EU is at the centre of Slovakia’s attention, and we will continue to follow closely the development of the Union’s relations with the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process. 

	As a result of its enlargement, the EU finds itself on the eve of a new era. It is getting new neighbours. It has identified, early and correctly, the need to pay primary attention to the area the development of which will have a significant influence on the whole Union.