Blanar Discusses Bilateral Ties and Global Issues with Singapore Minister

Bratislava, 25 August (TASR) - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) held a telephone call with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday, discussing further development of Slovak-Singaporean relations, Slovakia's cooperation with Southeast Asia, and current foreign policy issues, the ministry press department told TASR on the same day. "We greatly value our bilateral relations with Singapore and are interested in developing them further. Today, we followed up with the Singaporean minister on our April talks during the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Brunei, where we discussed opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and modern technologies," Blanar declared. He also invited his Singaporean counterpart to visit Slovakia. Singapore's foreign minister praised Slovakia's sovereign approach to foreign policy and its promotion of national positions and interests. During the call, Blanar also thanked Singapore for its support for Slovakia's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The accession process is expected to be completed during the ASEAN summit in the Philippines in November, as part of Blanar's working trip. Singapore's foreign minister thanked Slovakia for supporting the candidacy of Singaporean Ambassador Rena Lee for a judgeship at the International Court of Justice. Blanar said Slovakia formally confirmed its support for her candidacy on 30 July through the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations in New York. The ministers also discussed the current international situation, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Regarding Ukraine, they agreed on the need for a peaceful solution and support for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. "From the outset, we have maintained that this conflict has no military solution. We support all peace initiatives and diplomatic steps that can lead to an end to the fighting and to a just and sustainable peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations," Blanar said. The two sides also agreed on the need to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising the region. mf