Slovakia and Austria are close partners not only geographically, but also politically and economically. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said this following Monday’s visit to Bratislava by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. The two leaders pledged to further strengthen what they described as excellent and friendly relations between the neighbouring countries.
Their talks focused on regional cooperation, transport infrastructure, energy security and the competitiveness of industry, particularly the automotive sector. The Presidents also discussed the future direction of the European Union. Pellegrini stressed that Slovakia remains cautious about deeper integration in areas such as foreign and defence policy, while respecting Austria’s different position. Both leaders agreed on the importance of peaceful solutions to global conflicts and respect for international law.
Pellegrini also highlighted strong economic ties between the two countries. Slovak exports to Austria are worth nearly six billion euros annually, while Austria remains Slovakia’s third-largest foreign investor. Austrian investments exceed 7.5 billion euros and Austrian companies employ more than 48,000 people in Slovakia. He also described Vienna as a valuable source of experience in areas such as the circular economy and green innovation.
During his visit, Van der Bellen also met separately with Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) and Parliament Speaker Richard Raši (HLAS-SD). Their discussions covered economic cooperation, high energy prices, cross-border projects and Europe’s competitiveness. Fico’s recent visit to Moscow and his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin were also raised. Both sides highlighted the importance of regional cooperation within the Slavkov Format.
Source: STVR, TASR
