Joint Communiqué 
On the visit of H.E Dr.Nabil Shaath, Minister of Planning and
International Cooperation of the PNA to the Slovak Republic
Bratislava, March 8 - 9, 2000

Within the framework of enhancing and strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between the Slovak Republic and the PLO for the benefit of the Palestinian National Authority and the Slovak Republic, a two-day official visit of H.E. Dr. Nabil Shaath, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of The Palestinian National Authority at the invitation of the Slovak Republic was successfully concluded.

Dr. Shaath conducted positive and constructive meeting with H.e. Mr. Rudolf Schuster, the President of the Slovak Republic, H. E. Mr. P. Csaky, the Vice Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. E. Kukan, the Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Mr. L. Harach, the Minister of Economy and the Vice Chairman of the National Council Mr. I. Presperin.

Comprehensive talks took place on issues of mutual interest such as:
cooperation in the fields of tourism, transport, economic cooperation, businessmen council, export-import arrangements, cultural and scientific and educational cooperation, cooperation in the area of hi- tech industry, cooperation on legal and legislative matters. and a framework for political dialogue. A mechanism to be established at experts level to explore ways and means of enhancing cooperation between the two parties was also discussed. A joint working group from both sides is invited to meet as soon as possible in order to finalize the terms of that mechanism.

The Palestinian delegation expressed its appreciation to the support given by the Slovak Government to Palestine in capacity building by granting scholarships to Palestinian students to study in the Slovak Republic, as well as its gratitude for the support given to the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Slovak Republic.

The Slovak Leadership confirmed the invitation of President Arafat to visit the Slovak Republic, and Minister Shaath accepted the invitation on behalf of H.e. President Arafat. The S1ovak National Council reiterated its invitation to the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council in order to enhance cooperation between the two legislative bodies.

The Slovak leadership reiterated also its support to the rights of the Palestinian people for self-determination, and to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The Slovak official. reiterated their support to the Middle East peace process and expressed their awareness of the difficulties the Peace Process Is facing at the moment and stressed the necessity of implementation of the reached agreements in order to protect Peace.