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Bratislava seeks meaningful ties with Moscow – Slovak diplomat

Russia remains one of Slovakia’s most important trade and investment partners outside of the European Union, the Slovak state secretary noted

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak will visit Moscow on June 6 and hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Lukas Parizek said in an interview with TASS.

"Bratislava is interested in developing practical and meaningful relations with Moscow," he noted. "Our cooperation is aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, educational ties as well as interaction in the tourism industry. Russia remains one of Slovakia’s most important trade and investment partners outside of the European Union," Parizek added.

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According to him, both Bratislava and Moscow are interested in investment cooperation. "We will seek new opportunities to improve our economic relations. I am sure that we will succeed in taking them back to the previous level and even improving them," the Slovak state secretary said. He added that "there has recently been a decline of approximately 30% in the Slovak-Russian trade and economic cooperation because of sanctions." "Besides, the slump in world oil prices and the difference in currency rates have also affected bilateral cooperation," he added.

Parizek went on to say that on June 6, Slovakia’s Foreign Minister will visit Moscow to hold talks with his Russian counterpart. "It is planned to discuss issues related to the development of bilateral cooperation, particularly trade and economic ties, including the energy sector," he noted. "Scientific and cultural interaction will also be discussed." "In addition, the parties will exchange views on pressing global and regional issues," the Slovak diplomat pointed out.

When speaking on Slovakia’s participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, due to be held on June 1-3, Parizek said that "such platforms provide an opportunity to discuss important economic issues, namely interaction between business and governments." However, he did not elaborate who would represent Slovakia at the forum.

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