Slovakia: Two-Day Summit Ends

Record ID: 3963

  • Title: Slovakia: Two-Day Summit Ends
  • Date: 25th January 1998
  • Summary: Eleven European presidents ended a two-day summit on January 24, saying they are determined to strengthen democracy in the post-Communist continent The presidents held their fifth annual informal meeting at the picturesque town of Levoca in the Tatra mountains of Eastern Slovakia. Several of the leaders, notably Czech President Vaclav Havel, stressed the need to rebuild civil society -- the charities, environmental groups and other bodies which bridge the gap between the state and citizens and which were destroyed during decades of Communist rule. After two days' of talks on the theme of "civil society and the hope for a united Europe", all were agreed on the need to give citizens of post-Communist Europe a bigger say in rebuilding democracy as their countries seek ever closer ties with the West. Slovak President Michal Kovac said it was important to develop strong grassroots democracy as East European countries sought to join western organisations. Slovakia, once seen as a front-runner to join the EU, was the only applicant left out of the first wave because of alleged shortcomings in its democratic system. Kovac said the meeting showed the rest of the region was determined Slovakia would not be isolated. Most of the presidents - from Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine, attending the meeting lack real constitutional power but analysts say their annual meetings have taken on symbolic significance as East and West seek to put aside Cold War era of Levoca in the Tatra mountains of Eastern Slovakia. divisions.
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  • Location: SLOVAKIA LEVOCA
  • Reuters ID: LDL00128BZL3N
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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  • Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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