Opening Ceremony - Jozef Macejko

IRU XXVIII^th World Congress
Under the Patronage of the President of Romania, Ion Iliescu

Opening Ceremony

Jozef Macejko
Minister of Transport of the Slovak Republic

Ladies and gentlemen, dear organisers, guests of honour, representatives of associations, transport operators,

Let me use this occasion to thank you for the opportunity to make a speech at this important event.

First I would like to briefly inform you that on 22 April 2002 the Slovak Republic concluded in Brussels the accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) in the Chapter "Transport Policy".  The conclusion of this chapter was highly appreciated not only by the EU bodies and the Slovak Government institutions, but also by the Slovak road transport operators. With exception of the restrictive measure relating to the cabotage in the home territory of the individual EU countries that they consider as tolerable, the Slovak transport operators face on the large common market no disadvantages, but only chances and opportunities to defend and extend their positions on the Europe-wide transport forum. 

The extension of the EU is near at hand. Some of us will join it in two years, others, one or two years later. The new Europe-wide transport market will open to us what will become the largest internal market in the world. New opportunities, but also new challenges and responsibilities will emerge for all of us. Therefore I take pleasure in observing the activities and efforts of the largest European interest entity operating in the road transport sector - the International Road Transport Union (IRU) - which are in active preparation to the extension of EU, leading to the mutual rapprochement, the exchange of information and experiences, as well as to understanding and tolerance.

Slovakia thanks IRU for its support in solving the problem of the responsibility of the transport operators for illegal immigrants heading to the United Kingdom. Another item where we felt the significant help was the case where support was provided to the Slovak transport operators by the proper interpretation of the AETR Agreement text in Belgium. As well as we appreciate the 50 years of the functioning TIR system.

I hope that the good co-operation between the Slovak transport operators and IRU will continue in the future and that the Slovak transport operators will be able to keep their good reputation after the accession to EU.

Allow me at this occasion to wish you all many successes by your proceedings as well as many future fruitful years for IRU.

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