Foreign Affairs Minister Blanar Departed for Working Visit to Southeast Asia

Bratislava, 31 January (TASR) - Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) departed for Southeast Asia on Saturday, with the working trip to Indonesia and Singapore scheduled to take place along with a business mission until 6 February, the Foreign Ministry's communications department told TASR on the same day, adding that the aim of his trip is to deepen bilateral relations with a focus on political dialogue and economic diplomacy. Starting his visit in Indonesia, the head of Slovak diplomacy will open Slovakia's Honorary Consulate in Bali. While in Jakarta, Blanar will also open the first Slovak-Indonesian Business Forum. On this occasion, he will hold talks with Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn, and he is also due to meet with Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Anindya Novyan Bakrie. In Jakarta, Blanar will meet with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono and their bilateral talks will focus on intensifying dialogue with the new Indonesian government to foster investment and trade cooperation. The ministers will also discuss opportunities in the areas of defence, energy, innovation, and the digital economy. After the talks, they will sign an agreement on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports. During the second leg of his trip to Southeast Asia, Blanar will travel to Singapore, where he is scheduled to meet Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang. According to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovakia is keen to build on its very good mutual relations with Singapore, including at the multilateral level, as both countries share an emphasis on respect for international law and are also interested in strengthening cooperation in sustainable solutions, as well as science and technology. In Singapore, Blanar will also participate in the agenda of the business delegation to explore business and investment opportunities in this country. The head of Slovak diplomacy is expected to return to Slovakia on Friday (6 February). jrg