Slovakia Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Central African Republic

Luanda/Bratislava, 27 November (TASR) - Slovakia has officially established diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic (CAR) at a summit of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) in Luanda, Angola, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department has informed TASR, adding that this was the last African country with which Slovakia hadn't yet set up formal diplomatic relations. The joint communique was signed during the summit by Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Central African Foreign Affairs Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon. "Slovak diplomacy has now managed to connect Slovakia with the entire African continent. This step is therefore a significant milestone in the sovereign foreign policy of the Slovak government, which confirms the strong importance of an orientation towards all cardinal directions," stated Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the establishment of diplomatic relations with the CAR is the beginning of a new, constructive partnership that will deepen mutual contacts between Europe and Africa. It will also open up further opportunities for economic cooperation and enable Slovakia to better respond to the current challenges of the global South. The head of Slovak diplomacy stated that the current government's goal is to develop cooperation primarily with the countries of the Indo-Pacific and the global South and to make use of the opportunities they offer. Slovakia is opening six new embassies in this area - in Australia, Algeria, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Tanzania. The 7th EU-AU summit took place in the capital of Angola on 24-25 November. During the summit, the Slovak premier delivered a speech in which he emphasised support for effective multilateralism and strengthening relations with African partners base on the principles of openness, equality and historically good relations. ko/df