Shinzo Abe in Bratislava

Investments, bilateral contracts and almost 100 years of diplomatic relations were the topics of bilateral talks between Slovak Prime Minister Petr Pellegrini and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. Their meeting took place in Bratislava on Thursday. The two politicians appreciated in particular the mutual social security contract, which comes into force in July of this year. "On its basis, Japanese people in Slovakia and Slovaks in Japan will be able to work and be employed more easily, including pension insurance and retirement," explained Pellegrini. Also, the Japanese Prime Minister is convinced that the contract will reduce the burden on Japanese firms in Slovakia. There are over 60 Japanese companies operating in Slovakia, employing approximately 13,000 people. Wider multi-lateral issues, including politics regarding North Korea, will be discussed at the meeting between Shinzo Abe and the Prime Ministers of Visegrad Four countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) at Bratislava Castle later on Thursday.