Fico: Slovakia Wants to Be Bridge between EU and Vietnam

Hanoi, 13 April (TASR) - Slovakia wants to be a bridge between the European Union and Vietnam, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a press conference held with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung in Hanoi on Monday, describing an agreement on a strategic partnership between Slovakia and Vietnam as a natural follow-up to the already established EU-Vietnam strategic partnership. "There are no unresolved political issues between Slovakia and Vietnam. Our countries have exceptionally strong historical ties, and we can focus on continuing mutually beneficial economic cooperation," stated Fico. "We want to be a country that serves as a connecting bridge between the EU and Vietnam, and we're ready to share all our experience in this spirit," he stressed, identifying the potential for deeper cooperation primarily in nuclear energy and the arms industry. Le Minh Hung stated that Slovakia and Vietnam are "developing cooperation based on international law". Both prime ministers agreed on the need to respect international law regarding the issue of the South China Sea, a subject of a dispute between Vietnam and nearby countries. According to him, the Vietnamese government will strive to improve economic cooperation and support the activities of Slovak companies in Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese companies in Slovakia. Cooperation is sought in the areas of defence and security, science, technology, innovation and digitisation. Vietnam also supports the regulated migration of highly qualified human resources. Fico further stressed that the Slovak government will always respect international law as well as any country's decision regarding the path that it chooses for managing its own affairs. "I guarantee that the government of the Slovak Republic will never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," he declared. The new Vietnamese prime minister took up office last week, and Fico has invited him to Slovakia for an official visit. During the visit of the Slovak delegation to Vietnam, representatives of both countries signed memorandums of understanding and cooperation between the ministries of defence, foreign affairs and culture, as well as concerning nuclear energy. jrg/df