THE Philippines and Slovakia have agreed to deepen economic cooperation by expanding trade and investment opportunities in key industries.
During last Thursday’s bilateral talks in Manila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and visiting Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between their countries.
Blanár is the first Slovak foreign minister to make an official visit to the Philippines since 2015.
Lazaro said the Philippines and Slovakia have complementary economic strengths that could provide opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in manufacturing, technology and industrial development.
“Economically, our countries have much to offer each other. Slovakia’s industrial and automotive expertise complements the Philippines’ strengths in electronics and semiconductors,” she said.
As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Philippines could serve as a gateway for Slovak businesses seeking to expand across Southeast Asia, while Slovakia could provide Philippine companies with a strategic partner in Central Europe and access to the wider European Union market, Lazaro said.
Blanár is accompanied by a business delegation interested in exploring investment and commercial opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in information technology, electronics, machinery, water treatment and green energy.
He is also scheduled to lead the Philippines-Slovakia Business Forum, where business representatives from both countries are expected to explore potential partnerships, identify investment and discuss opportunities for stronger commercial exchanges.
Beyond economic cooperation, the two ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments. Lazaro briefed Blanár on developments in Southeast Asia and other issues affecting the region.
A key component of the visit is Slovakia’s planned accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), a regional agreement that sets out principles for peaceful relations, cooperation and respect for sovereignty among participating countries.
Blanár is scheduled to sign the Declaration on the Deposit of Slovakia’s Instrument of Accession to the TAC, paving the way for Slovakia to strengthen its engagement with Asean and its member states.
He will also formally open Slovakia’s resident embassy in Manila.
