Blanar to Hold Bilateral Talks and Attend ASEAN Meeting in Southeast Asia

Bratislava, 27 April (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) arrived in Southeast Asia on Monday, where he'll attend the 25th ministerial meeting of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Blanar is due to hold five sets of bilateral talks with his counterparts from Brunei, the Philippines, Laos, East Timor and Singapore in Brunei. "Slovak diplomacy must be active. That's why we maintain an open and constructive dialogue with all partners who are interested in cooperation that brings tangible benefits to both the citizens and economy of Slovakia," Blanar has posted on social media. At the 25th EU-ASEAN meeting in Brunei, the ministers will discuss current global and regional challenges, including security, the digital transformation, and the climate agenda, TASR has learnt from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ministry considers the meeting to be of strategic importance for Slovakia, which in December 2025 initiated the formalisation of its partnership with ASEAN by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Blanar also is scheduled to open a new Slovak embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The programme will include the opening of an exhibition of unique Islamic manuscripts from the collection of Bosnian poet and revivalist politician Safvet-beg Basagic, at which Slovakia will present its contribution to the protection of cultural heritage. ko/df