Austrian, Slovakian leaders meet to discuss European leadership roles

VIENNA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met with his Slovakian counterpart Peter Pellegrini in Vienna on Monday, as both countries prepare to take on leading roles in European organizations.

Austria will take on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July, the same point at which Slovakia is due to take on its role in the rotating presidency of the Visegrad Group.

Austrian national newspaper Der Standard reported that the coordination of important key areas in their new roles was one of the main issues on the discussion agenda.

Pellegrini said in its role in the presidency of the Visegrad Group, or V4, it wishes to build bridges both with the three other partners -- the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland -- and also the remainder of the European Union.

He said Slovakia wants a "good partner" in Austria, as it takes on its own new presidency.

The two leaders also had some disagreements to discuss, such as Austria's plans to adjust family allowances to the living costs of different countries. Should the children of a Slovakian who has worked and paid taxes in Austria return to their home country, the parents would receive a lower allowance than if the children would remain in Austria.

Kurz denied there is any discrimination involved, and argued that such families would still receive a more than adequate amount relative to the cost of living in Slovakia.

Pellegrini said his government disagrees with the measure and questions its conformity with European Union law, but noted that it respects Austria's position.

The two also discussed nuclear power, Kurz expressing concern over Slovakia's plans for an expansion. Pellegrini however made assurances that both current and future reactors are subject to the highest safety standards, and that this is also in the interests of the Slovakian people. Enditem