Traditionally Friendly Relations Between Serbia and Slovakia
Emphasising that the bilateral relations between the two countries are traditionally good and friendly, without open issues, the Deputy Foreign Minister said that the relations are also characterised with cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, as well as continued and intensive political dialogue at all levels.
Starović expressed satisfaction that the high level of political relations between our two countries is also followed by progress in the development of bilateral economic cooperation, along with constant growth in economic exchange.
The State Secretary pointed out that Serbia deeply appreciates the fact that Slovakia, in spite of pressures imposed, persists in its principled position not to recognise the so-called Kosovo.
Furthermore, Starović emphasised that our country highly appreciates continuous support of Slovakia in the EU integration process, both bilaterally and within the Visegrad Group; also, he pointed out that Serbia appreciates the engagement of the European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimir Bilcik, Slovakian Member of the EP.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said that, beside the achieved result in foreign trade between Serbia and Slovakia, further continuous support to the improvement of economic cooperation should be provided, and he invited Slovak investors to enhance in the following period their presence in our market.
Starović mentioned that there is a special value bonding the two countries and their relatiosn, namely members of the Slovak National Minority in Serbia, approximately 52,750 of them, as well as the Serbian National Minority in Slovakia, approximately 7,000 persons.
The State Secretary emphasised that Serbia is also ready to provide in the future full assistance and support in the implementation of projects in the field of cultural cooperation, paying special attention in this regard to the presentation of the Slovak Minority naive painting and art, bearing in mind that in the year to come, 220th Anniversary of the arrival of Slovaks to Kovačica will be celebrated.
In this regard, Starović pointed out that Serbia is implementing activities for placing the “Slovak Naive Art” on the Tentative List to be included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The State Secretary expressed his gratitude to Slovakia for its aid and donations provided to Serbia for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly for the donation of 15,200 PCR tests and supporting protective equipment, which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Korčok handed over during his recent visit to Serbia.
The State Secretary Brocková was also received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković.
