"Relations between Slovakia and Israel have long been constructive and there is further potential for their development. We are interested in holding political consultations, whether in Slovakia or Israel," said Marek Eštok, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, who on Wednesday (February 18), negotiated with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Slovak Republic, Jacob Zvi Yanovsky.
"I appreciate Israel's active interest in cooperation in areas that are strategic for Slovakia. I believe that the appointment of the new Israeli Ambassador will be another impulse for the development of relations between our countries," said Eštok, emphasizing the existing potential in the areas of innovation, advanced technologies, cybersecurity and startups with high Israeli expertise.
Israel is one of the key trading partners of the Slovak Republic in the Middle East region with a mutual turnover of 320 million euros. The State Secretary of Slovak Diplomacy particularly highlighted cooperation in the defense sector during the meeting and recalled the purchase of Israeli Barak MX air defense systems with the aim of strengthening the defense capabilities of the Slovak Republic.
The partners also discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East. Eštok emphasized that Slovakia continues to promote a fair and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution. The Ambassador of Israel appreciated Slovakia's balanced approach to this issue.
The issue of cooperation within the United Nations and other international organizations was also a topic of discussion during the meeting. The Slovak State Secretary appreciated Israel's support for Slovakia's candidacy for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for 2028-2029, which was promised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel Gideon Saar during his visit to Slovakia last year.
Source: TASR
