Republic of Slovenia - Slovak Republic

Relations between the two countries are positive and friendly without unresolved issues. The countries are connected by belonging to the same Central European space and their common foreign policy priorities (joining the EU and NATO, regional cooperation in CEFTA and the CEI). Both countries emphasise cooperation rather than competition in the accession processes for the EU and NATO.

In March 1999 Prime Minister Drnovsek made an official visit to Slovakia and in August 2000 Alojz Peterle made an official visit to Slovakia as Slovenian foreign minister. In February 1999 the Slovakian foreign minister Eduard Kukan made an official visit to Slovenia and in 2001 Slovakia's President Rudolf Schuster (23-24 May), and Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (19 February) both made official visits to Slovenia. On the invitation of President Kucan, President Schuster will participate in the 9th Meeting of the Presidents of Central European States, which will take place in Slovenia from 31 May to 1 June this year. On 4 March, also of this year, the Slovakian deputy prime minister Maria Kalecikova visited Slovenia.

The two countries have signed all the most important bilateral economic agreements, except the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Certificates on Product Conformity.

Although bilateral economic cooperation has increased on an annual basis, the amount of trade remains unsatisfactory. Exports to Slovakia amounted to just 0.9 percent of Slovenia's total exports, with imports from Slovakia amounting to 1.4 percent of Slovenia's total imports.

Since 1996 Slovenia has recorded a positive trend in trade with Slovakia. In comparison to the previous year, exports in 2001 increased by 19.9 percent while imports from Slovakia increased by 8.1 percent, making Slovakia the twentieth ranking export partner with Slovenia and 18th for imports.

On 31 December 2000 direct Slovenian investments in Slovakia totalled USD 5.2 million while direct Slovakian investment in Slovenia totalled USD 0.1 million.

Slovakia's basic foreign policy priority is, like Slovenia's, to join the European Union. Slovakia has provisionally closed 23 negotiation chapters during the negotiation process with the EU and plans to conclude negotiations by the end of 2002 and become an EU member on 1 January 2004. Seventy percent of Slovakian citizens are in favour of EU membership with 30% either against or undecided. Slovakia, together with Slovenia, is frequently described as one of the best prepared NATO candidates and its positions and strategic preparations for membership of the alliance are similar to Slovenia's. As a NATO candidate, Slovakia is also a member of the Vilnius group.

In November 2001 a Slovenian delegation to Bratislava took part in consultations with Slovakian ministerial representatives about joining the OECD. The Slovakian side were very willing to share their experiences and promised to support Slovenia's entry to the OECD.

During 2002 Slovakia will preside over CEFTA. The following year Slovenia will take over the presidency.

Slovakia worked for some time to become a full member of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and succeeded in autumn 2001 together with Poland and the Czech Republic. Slovakian representatives attend every Stability Pact meeting and support a wide range of activities and initiatives.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICE © 2002