Fico: Slovakia, Germany and Czech Republic Form EU Industrial Triangle
Berlin/Bratislava, April 3 (TASR correspondent) – Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic will focus even more on further strengthening industry – the automotive industry in particular, concurred the leaders of the three countries – Robert Fico, Angela Merkel and Bohuslav Sobotka, respectively, in Berlin on Monday.
The trilateral meeting in Berlin marking the 25th anniversary of the signing of the German-Czech-Slovak Treaty on Good Neighbourhood and Friendly Cooperation resulted in an agreement according to which the economy ministers of the three countries, trade associations as well as government officials responsible for science, research and innovation will meet in the near future.
According to Fico, the planned discussion will be aimed at drawing up specific proposals. “I consider this to be an extremely serious commitment that was adopted at our meeting today,” said Fico, adding that Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic make up an important industrial triangle in the middle of the EU and that they are also at the core of the automotive industry.
“It’s clear to all three countries that we need to strengthen competitiveness, the economic situation and the situation concerning research,” stated German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka noted that the automobile industry is facing challenges in terms of electromobility, self-driving cars and digitisation of the production process.
In reference to the aforementioned 25th anniversary, the Slovak and Czech prime ministers thanked Merkel for the support that Germany offered both countries in their integration into the EU and NATO.
In addition to trilateral matters, the leaders also addressed the future of the EU. Merkel praised Slovakia for its activities during the country’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. The German chancellor stated that the Slovak presidency helped to direct the Union towards the future and offered an important basis for preparations for a joint declaration of EU countries at the recent summit in Rome.
