Slovak and Russian Foreign Ministers talk relations, energy

Slovakia views Russia as an important economic and trading partner despite the current complex international situation, with Slovakia interested in further economic cooperation, stated Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Kaliningrad, Russia on Tuesday (6-6). "I'm pleased that we've been successful in continuing not only in political dialogue, but also in the spheres of trade exchanges and economic cooperation, with specific results also due to the work of an intergovernmental commission, including an agreement on a cyclotron centre. We view energy as being among the biggest challenges for the future, with Slovakia interested in a partnership in gas transit with the efficient use of existing infrastructure for transporting both crude oil and gas," said Lajčák. The Slovak minister noted that Russia remains one of the most significant trade and investment partners for his country outside the EU, supplying 98 percent of Slovakia's gas needs and 99 percent of its oil. Russia and Slovakia are also implementing an interdepartmental programme of cultural cooperation for 2013-2017. Lavrov added that Moscow will assist Bratislava in all ways possible, following Lajčak's election as President of the UN General Assembly.