Merkel Asked Caputova about Investigation of Kuciak's Murder

Berlin/Bratislava, August 21 (TASR-correspondent) – Slovak President Zuzana Caputova met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, TASR learnt on the same day.

In addition to the situation on the Slovak political scene, Merkel was also interested in the investigation of the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova. Caputova told her that the investigation is independent and responsible.

“It was a very constructive discussion,” Caputova said commenting on the meeting, adding that Merkel had asked specifically about the conduct of the Kuciak’s murder investigation. Caputova told Merkel that in her opinion, the investigation is heading to detecting and punishing the perpetrators.

In addition to the cooperation of both countries, Merkel and Caputova also addressed the themes of the European Union (EU) and Brexit. “Mrs. Chancellor [Angela Merkel], as well as Mr. President [Frank-Walter Steinmeier], are betting on Slovakia and have a great confidence in our country in the sense that we can play an important role in bringing our region closer to the rest of the European Union and building partnerships beyond our region,” added Caputova.

Caputova also agreed with Merkel on the need for a united EU, and that the agreement on the UK’s exit from the Union was negotiated. “We need to remain on this position. Brexit is an exemplary outcome of populism that we’re facing in several countries, and what we definitively need is Brexit with an agreement and not without an agreement,” Caputova said, noting that a no-deal Brexit could negatively affect about 100,000 Slovaks living in Britain.

The Slovak President also met her German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin on Wednesday. By laying flowers at the White Crosses memorial in Berlin she paid homage to those who lost their lives attempting to cross the Berlin Wall.