RFE/RL NEWSLINE 
Vol. 1, No. 115, 11 September1997

FINLAND BACKS SLOVAKIA'S EU MEMBERSHIP. Finnish Foreign
Minister Tarja Halonen on 10 September told journalists in Bratislava
that Finland can envisage Slovakia joining the EU. Halonen made the
comment to reporters today after a meeting in Bratislava with her
Slovak counterpart, Zdenka Kramplova. She said that in the
meantime, it is necessary for Slovakia to strengthen its democratic
institutions. She also commented she is optimistic the Slovak
government will be able to make progress on resolving problems
linked with the Hungarian minority. Halonen had separate talks with
government will be able to make progress on resolving problems
linked with the Hungarian minority. Halonen had separate talks with
President Michal Kovac and Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
               Copyright (c) 1997 RFE/RL, Inc.
                     All rights reserved.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx