Hungarian, Slovak presidents seek to ease tension

LANY, Czech Republic, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Presidents of Slovakia and Hungary agreed on Friday to jointly meet youths in the two central European countries in a gesture aimed at easing nationalistic tensions among the neighbours.

Ivan Gasparovic of Slovakia and Laszlo Solyom of Hungary said they would speak at universities in the Slovak city of Banska Bystrica and in Hungary in November.

"Presidents have specific opportunities for resolving conflicts between the two countries," Solyom told reporters after meeting Gasparovic on the fringes of a summit of the Visegrad Four group of central European nations.

"I think such an event will have a very positive impact on both countries, both societies," he said.

Relations between the ex-Communist countries which joined the EU in 2004 have soured since the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) entered the new Slovak government after an election in June.

About half a million ethnic Hungarians live in Slovakia and have been the subjects of verbal attacks by the SNS.

Several incidents, such as Internet-posted video of Slovaks burning a Hungarian flag or banners at Hungarian football matches calling for the death of SNS leader Jan Slota have raised the tensions since the vote.

An ethnic Hungarian student said she was beaten and robbed after being overheard speaking Hungarian on her mobile phone, but Slovak police said she fabricated the allegation.

Gasparovic said Europe and the world should not get disturbed by what he called was a problem of individuals and individual groups on both sides of the border. ((Reporting by Jan Korselt, writing by Jan Lopatka, editing by Scott McDonald; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474))

Keywords: SLOVAKIA HUNGARY