Blanar to Visit China and Philippines to Boost Slovak Exports

Bratislava, 9 November (TASR) – Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) will undertake a working visit to China and the Philippines from 9 to 16 November, accompanied by a business delegation, with the aim to promote Slovak exports, develop political dialogue and strengthen Slovakia's presence in key regions of Asia, the foreign ministry press department told TASR on Monday. In Beijing, the minister is due to officially open a Slovak institute. In Manila, he will inaugurate Slovakia's first-ever resident embassy in the Philippines and, at a ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), sign Slovakia's instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. "China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the world's second-largest economy. We need to engage in direct, substantive and sovereign dialogue with such a partner, based on Slovakia's national interests while respecting our anchoring in the European Union and NATO. We therefore want to build on the strategic partnership established during Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to China two years ago and translate it into concrete results," said the head of Slovak diplomacy, who will hold official meetings in Beijing on 10 and 11 November. According to the ministry, the visit will continue in the Philippines from 12 to 15 November. It will be the first official visit by a Slovak foreign minister to the country in 11 years. The minister noted that bilateral trade between Slovakia and the Philippines has considerable untapped potential. In 2025, trade reached €78.5 million, with Slovak exports accounting for approximately €18.8 million. "The first resident embassy in the Philippines will also help boost trade. Through its establishment, we are fulfilling our government's Manifesto commitments to strengthen Slovakia's presence in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. A permanent diplomatic presence will allow us to maintain regular communication with our Philippine partners, support Slovak businesses and be closer to our people," Blanar said. mf/mcs