SUMMIT OF PRIME MINISTERS IN TÁLE (SLOVAKIA)

24-25 June 2003

1. The Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic met in Tále in the Slovak Republic to review the results of the Visegrad co-operation and to discuss its future in an integrated Europe.

2. The Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction over the results of the Visegrad co-operation and underlined the importance of mutual solidarity and co-operation of the four countries during the past years in promoting their successful accession to the European Union and NATO.

3. The Prime Ministers commended the results of the Slovak Presidency and took note of the Annual report of the Slovak Presidency in the Visegrad Group (2002-2003). The Prime Ministers appreciated the fulfilment of the Presidency priorities "Integration, Security, Prosperity". The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening further the political, economic and cultural dimensions of the co-operation at all levels.

4. The Prime Ministers appreciated the achievements of the International Visegrad Fund during the first three years of its existence. Successful development of the Fund was considered a result of the political determination of Member States and professional functioning of the Secretariat. The Prime Ministers welcomed the fruitful results of the Visegrad Scholarship Programme during the first year of its operation.

5. The Prime Ministers exchanged views on the principles and objectives of their co-operation after their accession to EU to which the Prime Ministers attached great importance. They expressed their satisfaction with the guidelines on the future of the Visegrad co-operation elaborated by the working group of national co-ordinators and their common desire to have a relevant document prepared for the next V4 summit closing the Czech Presidency in 2004.

6. The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Accession Treaty to the European Union on 16 April 2003 and the results of the referenda held in the four countries on their accession to EU. They expressed their firm conviction that the ratification process of the Accession Treaty reflects the significance of EU enlargement for peace, stability and prosperity in Europe as well as for strengthening the global position of the Union. They also expressed their hope that the ratification process will be accomplished within the envisaged timeframe. The Prime Ministers expressed their support for further enlargement of the Union.

7. The Prime Ministers agreed that the EU membership of the four countries creates a new and unprecedented prospect for the further development of their economies and societies. The Visegrad countries are therefore willing to co-operate intensively in the areas of common interests in order to make this prospect realised.

8. The Prime Ministers welcomed that the Accession Protocols with the future NATO member states were signed in March 2003 as a result of NATO ´ s Prague Summit decision on a robust wave of enlargement. They look forward to successful completion of the NATO enlargement by the time of the next NATO summit and also welcome the confirmation of NATO's open door policy.

9. The Prime Ministers exchanged views with the Prime Minister of Ukraine on co-operation between the Visegrad Group and Ukraine. They declared their readiness to continue the political dialogue with Ukraine.

10. The Slovak Republic passed over the V4 Presidency to the Czech Republic. The next official summit meeting of the Prime Ministers will be held in the Czech Republic in 2004.