Matovic: Opening Border with Czech Republic Approved by Epidemiologists

Prague, June 3 (TASR-correspondent) - The turning point in the deliberations on the possible opening of the Czech-Slovak border was the opinion of a council of experts, Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) stated following the talks with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis as part of his working trip to the Czech Republic on Wednesday. One of the topics of the prime ministers' meeting was the border. "As soon as the experts approved it on Monday, I called Mr. Babis to agree on the opening of the border," said Matovic. "Both countries are like Siamese twins, bound by a common history, personal and family relationships. We've therefore taken many separations and restrictions at the border very sensitively. That is why I'm glad that we're introducing an unrestricted regime [at the border]," said Matovic. The premiers pointed out that the Slovak side will continue to check third-country nationals. Babis emphasised that there was great interest on the part of the Czech Republic in releasing the regime at the border. He noted that Slovakia is the second most important export country for the Czech Republic and also the second most preferred tourist destination for the Czechs. "It is therefore important that we support tourism together, as Slovaks are also increasingly travelling to the Czech Republic, which is of course good," pointed out Babis. Both prime ministers highlighted the above-standard relations of the countries, Babis assessed Wednesday's discussions as constructive, nice and friendly. According to Matovic, he assumed that the meeting would be more formal. "I was all the more surprised by the humaneness and the atmosphere at this meeting," he said. Matovic also stated that the next joint meeting of the Czech and Slovak governments will take place in the Slovak Paradise area. am/mcs