T he Slovak Republic will host an important meeting of the Prime ministers of signatories of the Vysegrad four countries. The editor's office of the Slovak Trade Forum realizing its extraordinary importance has prepared a double issue dedicated to economies of the V-4 countries. We are pleased that also the top officials of individual states - presidents and prime ministers - accepted our offer to co-participate on its quality, and through our periodical they address the Slovak public, participants of the meeting and all readers of this magazine with ceremonial addresses.

Dear readers,

I think, that most of us living in this part of the world will agree that Central Europe is in a stage of tremendous advancement. It all started when our countries shrugged off Communist rule ten years ago. Ever since the countries in the region have performed dramatic feats: we have established democratic institutions, shifted to market-based economies and opened new windows on the world. Yet we have not forgotten that we share a common past, and we highly value the unique bonds that we have had with each other throughout History. We were soon bound to find out that our ambitious goals of a larger scale Eurpean integration were to be delayed. This further enhanced the importance of partnership between our countries. This sense of belonging assumes shape in frameworks of cooperation, bilateral or mulilateral. I am personally convinced that the Visegrád Group is one of the most important of these structures where members contribute to increase the cohesion in the Groupis various political, economic and cultural efforts. Although Visegrád is traditionally a symbol of regional cooperation, it also enhances the role of Central Europe in the European and global arena. It embodies a message that this is one of the most dynamically growing regions in the world in the economic sphere. Today Central Europe is a region with significant intellectual potential which offers very favourable conditions for investment.

Keeping this in mind, we cannot deny that the countries of the region have also had difficult periods in their relations, even in the recent past. We welcome the fact that we left those times behind. Trade and economic ties have been boosted through the organisation of CEFTA. To further economic cooperation, infrastructure needs to be developed through joint effort. The construction of the Mária Valéria bridge between Slovakia and Hungary is regarded as a symbol of renewed cooperation between the two countries.

They say, "Donit protect yourself by a fence but rather by your friend." The best way to achieve this today is active membership in international structures where countries share the same values. NATO and the European Union are key structures for this and we aim at achieving the same goal within our regional associations, too. I am confident that the values that these organisations stand for, such as democracy, security, human and minority rights, will have an inceased role in the region.

With the new Slovak coalition goverment, a good opportunity is provided to start rational dialogue between Slovakia and Hungary based on mutual trust and good intention. We have a chance to open a new chapter in our relations. It is a particular pleasure for us to cooperate with partners with whom we had excellent relations already in opposition. For any fences that might still exist to fully disappear, Hungary will support Slovakiais endeavours seeking membership both in NATO and European Union. Integration of our countries in these structures will guarantee for all Hungarians a safe and prosperous future in Central Europe.

They say that confidence in success is almost success. The Hungarian government professes a strong commitment to improve our relations in Central Europe. I am convinced that the other Visegrád countries share this desire. I have no doubt that such a shared engagement will allow us to shape a more just and more prosperous world. A world in which we can give our children the future they deserve.

Dear readers,

I am looking forward to the meeting of Prime Ministers and the Visegrad group, which will be held in Bratislava this May. The fact that we have chosen Slovakia for our meeting place is an important contribution for the return of the Slovak Republic to the family of democratic countries, prerequisites for which have been created by the recent Slovak election.

I would like to wish all the citizens of the Slovak Republic a happy, full and satisfactory life, I would like to wish the Slovak Republic to become a member state of the European Union and NATO as soon as possible and thus join the family from which it was once snatched by the totalitarian communist regime.

Dear readers,

Thank to close cooperation of Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian politicians after 1989 we did succeed in very short period of time to lead our countries out of political, economic, and military "gray zone" and to cut the structures of Soviet-era dependency. One of the principal goals of Poland today is in shortest possible time to achieve full membership in the European Union. We are convinced that deepening of cooperation between Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary does not negatively influence the process of EU expansion, but will enhance it. I hope that involving our Slovak partners into renewed Visegrad Group shall cause growth of importance of our region in the European policy.

Dear readers,

the V4 Prime Ministers. I consider it a concrete example of fulfilling the declared interest of the Government of the Slovak Republic in the renewal of good political and economic relations among the V4 members. At the same time it is a clear signal to other surrounding countries that these countries would like to cooperate and communicate in a friendly manner.

Slovak Trade FORUM