Rasi: Czech-Slovak Mutuality Awards Underscore Importance of Our Shared History

Martin, 30 October (TASR) - The generation that built the joint state of the Czechs and Slovaks has left behind a significant historical legacy, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) stated on the occasion of the 108th anniversary of the Martin Declaration, in which the Slovaks committed themselves to a shared future with the Czechs. "It is our responsibility to pass on to future generations the good relations between two independent, sovereign and cooperating countries," he added in this context. The head of the Slovak Parliament emphasised that the significance of their shared history is also confirmed by the Czech-Slovak Mutual Understanding Awards, which he and Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura presented for the first time on Friday - the recipients were the former presidents of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, Rudolf Schuster and Milos Zeman, respectively. "The creation of this award is a specific result of our parliamentary cooperation. In June, we signed a memorandum in Prague on its setting up, with the aim of regularly honouring figures from the areas of culture, science, diplomacy and public life who contribute to the closeness of our nations," noted the Slovak House chair. Rasi pointed out that parliamentary cooperation between the two countries is also continuing on practical issues, ranging from economic and European matters through cross-border relations to the involvement of the younger generation in parliamentary life. am