Opinions & Interviews

“The first official visit of the Slovakian Premier in the history of the Belarusian-Slovak relations and during Slovakia’s presidency in the EU Council is a landmark event for both the states. Belarus attaches great significance to strengthening partner relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Slovakia. Slovakia is our important and promising European partner,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.

In his words, Belarus views the current visit as a powerful testimony to Slovakia’s friendly position, its readiness for constructive dialogue, joint search for opportunities and areas to intensify mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two countries have already reached a lot. They have been steadily developing trade and economic ties, strengthening regional, cultural, education and scientific contacts. The two states have a robust legal framework. “Frankly speaking, the potential of bilateral cooperation is still untapped. In 2015 the trade between Belarus and Slovakia made up about $170 million. Five years ago the bilateral trade reached almost $270 million,” said Andrei Kobyakov. The Belarusian Premier suggested putting in considerable effort to increase the volume and enhance the quality of the Belarusian-Slovak trade and economic relations.

There are subjects of the commodity-distribution networks of big Belarusian mechanical-engineering exporting companies in Slovakia. “Belarus is interested in advancing a wide range of its industrial products to the market of Central Europe with the assistance of Slovakia,” Andrei Kobyakov stressed.

According to the Belarusian head of government, the experience of Slovakia’s successful participation in the modernization of Belarusian companies of the petrochemical complex, food industry and the woodworking sector should serve as a basis to switch to the next level of industrial cooperation, i.e. the setting up of modern high-tech manufacturing facilities with prospects of entering the common market of the Eurasian Economic Union, the European Union, and also third countries. For instance, a modern innovative high-tech facility can be set up at the basis of NatiVita Company with the participation of Slovakia’s VitaPharma in Beshenkovichi to produce a wide assortment of drugs to treat tumors, autoimmune and serious infectious diseases.

“I am confident that today’s talks and the signing of agreements in different areas of cooperation will add the necessary impetus to the successful advancement of the Belarusian-Slovak relations,” Andrei Kobyakov said.