Blanar: Slovakia Strengthens Its Presence in Indo-Pacific Region

Brussels, 21 November (TASR) - One of the main foreign policy priorities of the Slovak government is to strengthen diplomatic and economic activities in the Indo-Pacific region and, at the same time, to build strategic partnerships with countries in this area, stated Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), who represented Slovakia at the fourth European Union-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, TASR was told by the Foreign Ministry's communications department on Friday. The aim of the event was to deepen strategic cooperation between the EU and countries in the Indo-Pacific region in the areas of security, trade, digital transformation, and climate policy. Blanar spoke at a roundtable discussion on 'Shared prosperity, economic security, and digital connectivity' where he emphasised Slovakia's support for the EU's strategic engagement in the region. "Slovakia fully supports the deepening of practical cooperation between Europe and Indo-Pacific. The EU's strategic engagement in this area contributes to strengthening global stability, security, and prosperity. At the same time, our regions are more interconnected than ever before - economically, strategically, and digitally," said the minister, emphasising the importance of cooperation instruments such as the Global Gateway initiative, which supports the establishment of high-quality connections between the Indo-Pacific and EU countries. The Foreign and European Affairs Ministry notes that strengthening diplomatic and economic activities in the region is one of the priorities defined in the government manifesto. In this regard, the ministry has prepared a new strategic concept for Slovakia's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Its aim is to develop bilateral and multilateral relations, support trade and investment opportunities, and boost cooperation in the fields of science, research, technology, culture, and education. The document is to be presented to partners in December. am