In brief

• Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár is travelling to China and the Philippines from November 9 to 16 with a business delegation.
• In Beijing he opened a business forum with 19 Slovak firms and institutions and signed several memoranda.
• The trip also includes opening Slovakia's first resident embassy in Manila and signing a treaty accession document in Southeast Asia.

Trip agenda and goals

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) is travelling to China and the Philippines between November 9 and 16, together with a business delegation. The stated aims are to support Slovak exports, develop political dialogue and strengthen Slovakia's presence in key Asian regions. (Minister Juraj Blanár odcestuje do Číny a na Filipíny – TASR / TERAZ.sk)

China leg

In Beijing, Blanár opened a Slovak institute on Tuesday and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on deepening the strategic partnership and Slovakia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. (Blanár v Pekingu rokoval so svojím čínskym rezortným partnerom Wang Im – TASR / TERAZ.sk) He also opened a Slovak-Chinese business forum attended by 19 Slovak companies and institutions, where he said Slovakia's priorities are cutting the trade deficit, supporting exports and attracting higher-value investment. (Slovensko chce s Čínou prehĺbiť obchodné vzťahy, Blanár zdôraznil podporu exportu a investícií – HNonline.sk) (J. Blanár: SR chce znížiť obchodný deficit s Čínou a získať investície – TASR / TERAZ.sk) Several memoranda were signed at the forum, including agreements involving the Slovak investment agency SARIO, Nuclear Power and Probugas.

Blanár said Slovakia wants cooperation with China beyond traditional sectors, extending to digitalisation, information technology, automation and research. Slovak authorities also asked for the visa-free regime for Slovak citizens to be extended beyond 2026.

Philippines leg

In Manila, Slovakia is set to open its first resident embassy in the Philippines. At a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers, Blanár is due to sign Slovakia's accession document to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Why it matters

China is Slovakia's largest trading partner outside Europe, according to the ministry, which is why the government is pushing for a more balanced trade relationship. (Blanár pricestoval do Číny, rokovať bude aj o slovenskom exporte – TASR / TERAZ.sk)