Příloha
č. 7
Declaration
by the Presidents of States of the VisegraD Group,
Pszczyna, Poland, January 19, 2001
We, the Presidents of the Czech
Republic, the
Republic Of Hungary, the Republic Of Poland, the Slovak Republic, met
in
Pszczyna, Poland, on 19 January 2001, on the eve of the 10th
anniversary of the
adoption in Visegrad of the declaration on co-operation between the
Central
European nations that we represent. Not only has this document retained
its
validity but has even extended it, in the face of changes sweeping the
uniting
Europe of today.
We give a positive assessment of
the ten years'
achievements of the Visegrad co-operation. We pledge our readiness to
continue
and to deepen this cooperation. With great satisfaction we take note of
the
progress made last year in this area. We warmly welcome the intensified
dialogue on the level of Prime ministers, Ministers from various
departments,
and chief negotiators who are responsible for the accession talks of
our
countries with the European Union. What we consider particularly
valuable and
benehcial is the strengthening of contacts in the field of culture,
education,
science, youth exchanges and cross-border co-operation, whose progress
will be
increasingly asisted by the International Visegrad Fund established in
the
previous year.
We regard the accession of our
four countries to the
European Union as a matter of utmost priority. A swift entry to the EU,
based
on favourable and equitable conditions, will be more than a way to
fulfil our
national aspirations: It will also help to generate more momentum in
the
process of unification of Europe. Close Visegrad co-operation on the eu
issues,
whose significance is growing in the course of our pre-accession, will
retain
its worthiness also after this strategic goal has been achieved.
The time span from the entry of
the Czech Republic,
Hungary and Poland to the North Atlantic Albance has proven the
rightfulness of
the decision about the NATO enlargement. We unanimously advocate the
alliance's
continued "open door" policy, which contributes to the strengthening
of security and stabilny in Central and Eastern Europe. We express our
hope
that Slovakia will soon become a NATO member. At the same time, the
Visegrad
states confirm their unfailing support to the development of the common
European security and defence policy, while also retaining lasting
transatlantic bonds, beneficial to the whole continent. We welcome the
decision
of the north atlantic council of 15 December 2000 to organize the next
NATO
summit in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
Given that the strategic goals
of the Visegrad states
are convergent, and the ways chosen to attain them are also similar, we
see a
number of common challenges ahead of us. The answer to these challenges
should
allow the citizens of our states to enjoy more economic freedom, higher
standards of living and improved internal and external security. The
dynamically
developing Central Europe becomes a part and parcel of the
globalisation
process, which afford new opportunities to all our fellow citizens, and
in
particular to young generations, who will shape our common destiny in
the new
century.
The success of the Visegrad
co-operation, originating
in our break-away from the totalitarian system in Central Europe, is
founded on
the solid ground of observation of democratic rules, market economy,
rule of
law, and on respect for human and minority rights and civil freedoms.
This
provides a model for mapy other states from central and eastern europe.
We
pledge our readiness and willingness to develop broad contacts between
the
Visegrad Group that we represent, and other states and subregional
groupings.
This will contribute to the building of good-neighbourly relations
between
nations, will help to overcome divisions from the past which linger on
the
continent, and will pave the way to a secure, stable and prospering
Europe.
Zdroj: http://www.visegradgroup.org