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Bratislava/Seoul – South Korea is a significant trade partner and investor for Slovakia, and mutual cooperation, both economic and political, should continue to develop. This was stated on Monday in Seoul at the beginning of his working trip in this country by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD). According to him, strengthening relationships should also result in an agreement on strategic partnership, which should be signed by the top representatives of both countries in the future.
He reminded, that South Korea is the fourth largest investor in Slovakia and the largest from Asia. The mutual trade exchange amounted to six billion euros in 2023. Currently, significant economic cooperation exists in the automotive and electrical engineering industries. “We want to move it to a higher level, including into innovations, into research centers with higher added value. That is why we have come to Korea not only with a business delegation and entrepreneurs, but also with representatives of universities, who will be negotiating here at universities about how they can cooperate exactly in creating such research and development centers together with Korean companies and Slovak institutions,” stated the minister.
For Slovakia, according to him, maintaining mutual political dialogue at the highest level is important, which the current visit should also help facilitate. At its start, Blanár had discussions with Minister for Unification Kim Jong-ho. “I was interested in how they view the recent statement by the leaders of North Korea about ending the unification process, which they had been striving for in South Korea. It is very important information for us, as stability in this region is very crucial. Otherwise, it affects Europe and Slovakia,” he emphasized.
They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and Slovakia’s stance on the matter. “I have clearly declared the position of our government, that we do not see a military solution to this conflict, and therefore we call for a peaceful resolution. I informed them that we would participate at the prime ministerial level at a peace summit in Switzerland, where South Korea will also be present,” stated the minister. He also informed about the assistance Slovakia is providing to Ukraine, as well as specific projects, such as strengthening the interconnection of electricity systems and reconstruction of the road crossing in Vyšné Nemecké, which can be a gateway between the EU and Ukraine in reconstructing the country after the war.
“Our mission is a confirmation of what we declared, that we will do politics towards all four points of the compass, taking into consideration that we are members of the European Union and NATO, and that we will strive to develop good relations with all countries who are interested. In the Indo-Pacific space, South Korea is one of our most important partners for us,” the minister added.
Within the next program, Blanár also has meetings scheduled with the Korean prime minister and foreign minister. He will also, for example, attend the opening of the honorary consulate of Slovakia in the city of Ulsan, where a significant plant of the Hyundai motor company is located. (May 13th)
