Opinions & Interviews

According to Oleg Kravchenko, 25 years of diplomatic relations are a milestone event for the two states. “This surely is a long period. However, it seems almost an instant if we look at a centuries-old history during which the Belarusian and Slovak people have lived in friendship. During this time, our countries have made significant progress in developing the bilateral dialogue,” he stressed.

The deputy minister emphasized the intensified political contacts between Belarus and Slovakia. In April 2017 the Slovak prime minister paid a working visit to Vitebsk Oblast, while the prime minister of Belarus paid an official visit to Slovakia. In June 2017 the minister of foreign affairs of Slovakia visited Minsk.

Contacts between MPs have also been steadily expanding. The two countries pay special attention to the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation. According to the deputy minister, over the past year the two states have achieved positive results in the implementation of projects in the pharmaceutical industry, the modernization of enterprises, and the production of lighting (LED) equipment. The parties have established efficient cooperation in the field of standardization and certification. Interregional contacts have been actively developing. The states have been successfully running student exchanging programs. Belarus and Slovakia plan to implement a number of scientific and technical projects. Oleg Kravchenko also took note of the parties' interest in developing energy cooperation.

The deputy minister expressed confidence that Belarus and Slovakia would be able to implement the existing huge potential in the development of relations.