Blanar: Slovakia Seeks Stronger Trading Ties with Indo-Pacific Region (2)

Bandar Seri Begawan/Bratislava, 27 April (TASR) - Slovakia aims to intensify mutual trade and investment with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, said Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar during a meeting of EU and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministers in Brunei. Blanar also held a series of bilateral talks on the sidelines, including the first-ever ministerial-level meeting with his counterpart from East Timor, TASR was informed by the ministry's press department. "We want to be an active and reliable partner in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. We're interested in utilising existing potential for businesses, while also attracting investments from this region, which is experiencing sustained economic growth and generates a significant share of global GDP," said Blanar. He pointed out that ASEAN countries represent one of the most dynamically developing regions in the world, with more than 680 million inhabitants and growing economic potential offering major opportunities for trade, investment and technological exchanges. Slovakia is also focusing on strengthening political dialogue with Southeast Asian countries to gain support for accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and for its candidacy to obtain a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Accession to the TAC would strengthen Slovakia's political engagement in Asia, stated Blanar. As part of his programme, Blanar met the foreign ministers of Brunei, the Philippines, Laos, East Timor and Singapore. In talks with Brunei's top diplomat Erywan Yusof, the two officials discussed enhancing economic cooperation and pointed to the negative impact of the conflict in the Middle East on their economies. In addition, Blanar discussed investment and trade, with a focus on the innovation and technology sectors, with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. He noted that Singapore is among the world's most advanced economies and a key regional trade and financial hub, making it a promising partner for cooperation. During talks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, both sides confirmed their interest in developing bilateral relations through regular political dialogue, consultations and business missions, to be supported by the planned opening of a Slovak Embassy in Manila. Lazaro invited Blanar for an official visit to the Philippines. The Slovak minister also supported the swift conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement. He welcomed the diversification of EU-Philippines trade and economic cooperation, including with ASEAN as a whole. At the first meeting of the Slovak and Lao foreign ministers in nearly 10 years, Blanar and Thongsavanh Phomvihane discussed current foreign policy issues and intensifying dialogue and trade, particularly in hydro-power, digitisation and tourism. Blanar used the first-ever ministerial meeting with East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas to launch a political dialogue and begin building trade and economic relations. Both sides also highlighted the potential for cooperation at the multilateral level. East Timor became ASEAN's 11th member in 2025. "The centre of global economic development is shifting to Southeast Asia. Slovakia wants to be active both in pursuing its national interests and as an EU-member state. Our ASEAN partners also see us as a gateway to the Union," declared Blanar. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 6-12 mf/df