SLOVAKIA views Singapore as a partner that can help boost its economic ties across Southeast Asia, said Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič after meeting his Singaporean counterpart Tony Tan in Bratislava on November 18. Tan, together with his wife, officially visited the country from November 14 to 18.
Gašparovič added that Slovakia wants to cooperate with Singapore in several areas, including trade, economy, culture, science and research.
“We have agreed on the need for student exchanges between the universities of the two countries,” Gašparovič said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
Tan commented on the potential for exploring more opportunities in bilateral ties, especially those concerning the economy. He pointed to Slovakia’s support for the recent signing of an agreement on free trade between his country and the European Union.
“That will provide a strong impetus for the development of our mutual cooperation,” Tan said, as quoted by TASR, adding that culture and tourism offer leeway for closer links as well.
The presidents also noted the good relations between the two countries. Gašparovič said that Singapore can be an example of how a relatively small country can have considerable international and economic influence in world affairs, the SITA newswire wrote.
“Slovakia, similar to Singapore, is a country with a strategic location; we are the crossroads in terms of connection to the markets in western and eastern Europe,” Gašparovič added, as quoted by SITA.
Tan commented that if the countries want to work effectively, they both must transform into relevant states, remove obstacles in mutual free trade and make new business connections. He also said that in addition to Slovakia using Singapore as a gateway to Southeast Asia, Singaporean businesspeople can use Slovakia as an entrance to European markets, SITA wrote.
Source: TASR, SITA
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
