Blanar: Slovakia Reopens Embassy in Malaysia

Bratislava, 24 November (TASR) – Slovakia has re-established its diplomatic mission in Malaysia with concurrent accreditation also to Brunei Darussalam, and the new ambassador is diplomat Peter Spisiak, the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry's press department announced on Monday. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) explained that Slovakia aims to bolster its diplomatic and economic presence in the region. "The renewed Slovak Embassy in Kuala Lumpur presents an opportunity not only to intensify political dialogue and people-to-people contacts, but above all to diversify Slovak exports and engage in technologically advanced innovations," he stated. The ministry noted that Malaysia is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia and currently holds the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "We are interested in deepening cooperation with the entire ASEAN grouping, as well as with its individual members, including Malaysia, which has a strategic geopolitical location," Blanar stressed. According to the ministry, mutual trade turnover between Slovakia and Malaysia has in recent years reached €500 million. Ambassador Spisiak said Slovak exports to Malaysia increased by 62 percent last year, clearly confirming the significant potential and interest in expanding trade. "In addition to supporting and strengthening relations in already active areas such as defence, our diplomatic mission is also focused on finding new opportunities for cooperation in nuclear energy, water management, and meteorological and hydrological technologies," Spisiak said. MZVEZ added that Spisiak previously served as ambassador to Albania and represented Slovakia at embassies in Poland, Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as at the OECD in Paris. Within the ministry, he held several managerial positions, most recently in the Asia and Pacific Department. mf