Brussels, 20/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - Pursuing their visits to the applicant countries with which negotiations will begin next month, President Romano Prodi and Commissioner Günther Verheugen were in Slovakia on Thursday 20 January. They met the country's principal political authorities (including Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and Speaker of Parliament Josef Migas), and officials responsible for the enlargement negotiations as well as representatives of the social partners.
Messrs Prodi and Verheugen welcomed the progress made last year by Slovakia and encouraged authorities to take other decisions, in particular with respect to economic reform and building up administrative capacity. The Commission will support further Slovak efforts to accelerate the accession process. The progress of negotiations will depend on Slovakia's actual achievements in adopting and implementing EU legislation.