Estok: Slovakia and USA Confirm Strategic Aspect of Their Ties

Bratislava/Brussels, 18 December (TASR) – Foreign and European Affairs State Secretary Marek Estok held working talks, with Daniel Lawton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States for Western, Central and Southern Europe on Wednesday, 17 December, with both officials praising the momentum of bilateral relations and agreeing to firm them up further, particularly in the areas of energy, defence, the economy and security, the ministry's press department told TASR on Thursday. "The United States is an important global player and a key partner for Slovakia. It is therefore crucial that our relations are deepening, especially in the areas of energy, defence, the economy and security," said Estok. In this context, he highlighted the importance of flagship Slovak-US projects, including the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between the USA and Slovakia on the construction of a nuclear power facility by US company Westinghouse. He underlined the significance of talks at the highest political level, referring to US President Donald Trump's recent invitation to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to visit the USA. "At the same time, I expressed interest in organising a Strategic Dialogue between Slovakia and the USA in 2026, which would lay the foundations for practical cooperation for the next period," added Estok, also conveying an invitation to US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker to come on an official visit to Slovakia. He also recalled an invitation for Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two sides also discussed the current situation in Ukraine and the positions of Slovakia, with Estok confirming continued support for Ukraine in the humanitarian, non-military and energy fields, while praising US diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. A significant issue of the talks was cooperation in energy security, including diversification of energy sources and supply routes, as well as the continuation of strategic projects in nuclear energy. The two sides also touched on defence cooperation, modernising the armed forces and strengthening defence capabilities within NATO. mf/df