Blanar: Slovakia Interested in Deepening Economic Ties with Monaco

Bratislava/Monte Carlo, 12 November (TASR) – Slovakia is interested in deepening its economic relations with Monaco, and economic cooperation has great growth potential, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) declared on Wednesday during his visit to Monaco, TASR learned from the ministry's press department on the same day. Blanar identified digital transformation and artificial intelligence as promising areas for Slovak investment, with additional opportunities in tourism, gastronomy, real estate and financial services. As part of his official working visit, Blanar held bilateral talks with Monaco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadei. Both officials highlighted the revitalisation of mutual relations and agreed on the need to deepen economic ties. “Slovakia and Monaco share many common positions, and I am pleased that relations between our countries have recently been significantly revived at several levels,” Blanar said, noting the planned reopening of Slovakia's Honorary Consulate in Monaco in April 2025 and the October visit of House chair Richard Rasi. Blanar expressed confidence that his meeting with the head of Monaco's diplomacy, whom he invited for an official visit to Slovakia, would further strengthen bilateral relations. “Our goal is to work on deepening economic relations, as demonstrated by today's Slovak-Monaco Business Forum, which I opened in Monaco,” the minister added. Blanar praised the investment of the Monegasque company Megaplast, which created more than 250 jobs in Slovakia in 2016. According to him, Slovakia offers favourable conditions for investors through the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), which has attracted interest from Monaco's business community. The ministers also discussed possible cooperation in the field of culture, which Blanar described as an effective tool for strengthening partnership. “An example is the recent presentation of the book and documentary Earth by Slovak photographer Filip Kulisev, whose launch took place in Monaco under the patronage of Prince Albert II,” he noted. Slovakia is prepared to offer other top artists in this regard, for example in classical music. Blanar and Berro-Amadei also discussed current international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. They agreed that in times of growing geopolitical tension, adherence to international law is the strongest instrument smaller states such as Slovakia and Monaco have to protect their interests. According to Blanar, Slovakia is ready to work closely with Monaco during its upcoming presidency of the Ministers Committee of the Council of Europe from May to November 2026. Slovakia and Monaco, he added, share identical views on the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. “We have the same opinion – that it is necessary to continue the dialogue initiated by the administration of US President Donald Trump. We also believe that even a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip offers hope that the situation of civilians, who have faced an immense humanitarian crisis, will finally improve,” he said. During his visit, Blanar also held talks with Monaco's Secretary-General for Justice and Director of Judicial Services Samuel Vuelta Simon and appreciated the cooperation between the authorities of both countries in the area of intercountry adoption of children. The Slovak minister also met with the President of the Monaco Economic Board Guillaume Rose and the President of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Monaco Marc Lecourt. mf