Relations between Slovakia and China are exceptional, and for Slovakia, China is the most important trading partner outside the European Union (EU), President Peter Pellegrini stated on Tuesday in Beijing following talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
However, Pellegrini highlighted the negative trade balance, as Slovakia imports more from China than it exports to that country. During the talks, he called for better and fairer access for Slovak companies to the Chinese market, therefore.
"As the Chinese President said - only mutual cooperation brings benefits to both partners, not confrontation. Slovakia will therefore advocate at the European table the view that we should seek solutions to this situation through negotiations and round-table dialogue so that we can secure better and fairer access to Chinese markets not only for Slovak but also for other European manufacturers, thereby gradually reducing the trade deficit," he stated.
According to Pellegrini, Slovakia is seen as a safe haven for Chinese investment. He highlighted the activities of Chinese investors in Slovakia, as well as preparations for further projects. "The pipeline of projects and future investments includes opportunities for projects in the fields of car-manufacturing, specialised technologies, the aviation industry and similar sectors," he stated, adding that Slovakia is open to creating further conditions that will make it easier for Chinese investors to enter the Slovak market.
Pellegrini also stated that Slovakia wants to deepen cooperation between Slovak and Chinese research institutions, universities and technology companies and is interested in implementing the latest technologies developed in China as soon as possible.
"We must seek a way to implement them in everyday life and in our companies as soon as possible. It's precisely the early introduction of innovations that can make Slovakia one of the leaders among European countries," stressed Pellegrini, who pointed to the possibilities of using robotics in the health-care sector. "We've seen many robots that are already used in hospitals today. I think that it's very good news for patients that this technology is coming to hospitals not only in China, but gradually in other countries around the world as well," he said. He understands that the advent of modern technologies can also raise concerns, but he emphasised that their goal is to save time and improve the quality of life.
Pellegrini identified bringing together the younger generations, scientific workplaces and educational institutions as another priority for cooperation with China, adding that he'll ask Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas-SD) to send a delegation with the aim of establishing closer cooperation with Chinese universities, scientific workplaces and the Education Ministry. "If we bring the younger generation together, we'll create a good foundation for friendly relations between our countries for decades to come. I hope that Chinese students will come to study in Slovakia and at the same time that more Slovak students will have the opportunity to study in China. However, it's not just about studying itself, but also about working together on scientific and research projects," he added.
Source: TASR
