Deputy Foreign Minister Meets Egyptian Ambassador to Discuss Cooperation

Bratislava, 22 January (TASR) – Foreign and European Affairs State Secretary Rastislav Chovanec on Wednesday received the Egyptian Ambassador to Slovakia, Walid Mohamed Ismail Mahmoud, to discuss the current state of and prospects for Slovak-Egyptian relations, with an emphasis on economic cooperation and political dialogue in a broader regional and European context, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on Thursday. "Egypt is perceived as one of the key stabilising actors in the Middle East and North Africa, whose importance goes beyond the framework of bilateral relations," said Chovanec. He stressed that from the European Union's perspective, Egypt is a strategic partner for a stable and secure neighbourhood, plus when it comes to irregular migration, security and economic development. "The Slovak Republic therefore has long supported deepening the partnership between the European Union and Egypt, and Egypt's active role in strengthening stability in the region," added Chovanec. The two sides agreed that a stable political environment and intensive dialogue between the EU and Egypt create favourable conditions for the further development of cooperation, which ranks among the long-term priorities of both countries. According to Chovanec, intensive high-level political contacts in recent years have contributed to a growth of trade exchanges. He recalled the visit by Slovak of Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar to Cairo in November 2025, during which an Intergovernmental Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Slovak Republic and the Arab Republic of Egypt was signed. The agreement provides a framework for establishing a Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation. With respect to the economic agenda, the two officials also highlighted the importance of people-to-people contacts and tourism as a significant part of bilateral dialogue. "Egypt is among the most popular holiday destinations for Slovak citizens, with more than 100,000 Slovaks visiting the country in 2024. This trend continued in 2025, thanks in part to a direct air connection from Bratislava," added Chovanec. mf/df