Foreign relations of Slovakia

Slovak Republic has been a member of European Union since 2004. Slovakia has been an active participant in U.S.- and NATO-led military actions. There is a joint Czech-Slovak peacekeeping force in Kosovo. After the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on the United States, the government opened its airspace to coalition planes. In June 2002, Slovakia announced that they would send an engineering brigade to Afghanistan.

Slovak Republic is a member of the United Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the OECD. It also is part of the Visegrad Four (Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Poland), a forum for discussing areas of common concern. Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic entered into a Customs Union upon the division of Czechoslovakia in 1993, which facilitates a relatively free flow of goods and services. Slovak Republic maintains diplomatic relations with 134 countries, primarily through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are 44 embassies and 35 honorary consulates in Bratislava.

International disputes

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein claims restitution of land in Slovakia confiscated from its princely family in 1918^[1] by the then newly established state of Czechoslovakia, the predecessor of the Slovak Republic. The Slovak Republic insists that the power to claim restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power. Slovakia and Liechtenstein established diplomatic relations on 9 December 2009.^[2]

Hungary

Bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube.^[3]

Illicit drug trafficking

Transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, producer of synthetic drugs for regional market.^[3]

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Albania		See Foreign relations of Albania and Albania-Slovakia relations The multi-national Communist armed forces’ sole joint action was the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. All member countries, with the exception of the People's Republic of Albania and the Socialist Republic of Romania participated in the invasion. Albania formally withdrew form the Warsaw Pact in 1968 over the matter.[4] Albania has an embassy in Bratislava. Czech Republic has an embassy in Tirana.
Austria		See Foreign relations of Austria Austria has an embassy in Bratislava.[5] Slovakia has an embassy in Vienna and 3 honorary consulates (in Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg).[6] Both countries share 91 km of common borders. There are around 25,000 people of Slovak descent living in Austria. Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Slovakia (in German only)
Belarus		See Foreign relations of Belarus
Bulgaria	1993-01-01	Both countries had diplomatic relations for the first time between 1939 and 1945. Bulgaria recognized Slovakia on December 23, 1992. Since February 1994, Bulgaria has embassy in Bratislava.[7] Since June 1994, Slovakia has embassy in Sofia.[8] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, of NATO and of the European Union.
Croatia		See Foreign relations of Croatia
Cyprus		Cyprus is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Slovak Republic has an embassy in Nicosia and an honorary consulate in Limassol.[9] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treatis with Slovakia
Czech Republic		See Czech Republic – Slovakia relations Between 1918 and January 1, 1993, both countries were part of Czechoslovakia. Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1993. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Bratislava. Slovak Republic has an embassy in Prague and a consulate general in Brno.
Denmark	1993	See Denmark – Slovakia relations Denmark has an embassy in Bratislava.[10] Slovakia has an embassy in Copenhagen.[11] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Estonia		See Foreign relations of Estonia
Finland		See Foreign relations of Finland
France		See Foreign relations of France
Germany	1993	See German-Slovak relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993 but previously had relations during World War II when Slovakia was a separate state. Germany has an embassy in Bratislava. Slovakia has an embassy in Berlin, an embassy branch in Bonn, a general consulate in Munich. Germany plays an important part in the Slovak economy as it is Slovakia's main trading partner.
Greece	1993-01-01	Greece opened its embassy in Bratislava in September 1996.[12] Slovakia also has an embassy in Athens. Both countries are full members of NATO and the European Union. Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry about relations with Slovakia Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry about relations with Greece
Hungary	1993	See Hungary–Slovakia relations Hungary has an embassy in Bratislava.[13] Slovak Republic has an embassy Budapest and a general consulate in Békéscsaba.[14] Both countries share 676 km of common borders. There are around 520,000 Hungarians living in Slovakia and around 17,000 people of Slovaks living in Hungary (See also Hungarians in Slovakia)
Ireland		See Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland
Latvia		Both countries established direct diplomatic relations on January 1, 1993. Latvia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Slovakia has an embassy in Riga. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan met in Riga in 2000.[15]
Malta		See Malta–Slovakia relations Malta is represented in Slovakia through a non resident ambassador based in Valletta (in the Foreign Ministry). Slovakia is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
Netherlands	1993-01-01	See Foreign relations of the Netherlands The Netherlands have an embassy in Bratislava.[16] Slovakia has an embassy in The Hague. Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Slovakia (in Dutch only)
Poland	1993	See Poland–Slovakia relations Poland has an embassy in Bratislava.[17] Slovakia has an embassy in Warsaw and a general consulate in Kraków.[18] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. Both countries share 539 km of common borders.[19]
Romania	1993-01-01	See Romania–Slovakia relations Romania has embassy in Bratislava.[20] Slovakia has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Salonta.[21] Both members are full members of: NATO and European Union Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Slovakia
Russia	1993-01-01	See Russia–Slovakia relations Russia opened its embassy in Bratislava in 1993. Slovakia has an embassy in Moscow. http://www.rusemb.sk/
Serbia	1993	See Serbia–Slovakia relations Serbia has an embassy in Bratislava.[22] Slovakia has an embassy in Belgrade.[23] Serbian Ministry of Foreign affairs about the relation with Slovakia
Ukraine	1993-01-01	See Slovakia–Ukraine relations Slovakia has an embassy in Kiev, a general consulate in Uzhhorod, a and 2 honorary consulates (in Donetsk and Uzhhorod).[24] Ukraine has an embassy in Bratislava and a general consulate in Prešov.[25] Both countries shares 90 km of common borders. There are between 40,000 and 100,000 people of Ukrainian descent living in Slovakia. During the Interwar era the Ukrainian province Zakarpattia Oblast was part of Czechoslovakia.[26]
United Kingdom	1993	See Foreign relations of Slovakia The United Kingdom has an embassy in Bratislava.[27] Slovakia has an embassy in London.[28] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the relation with Slovakia

Rest of world

Armenia

• Formal relations were started in 1994
• Armenia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
• Slovakia is represented in Armenia through a non resident ambassador based in Bratislava (in the Foreign Ministry).
• Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe.
• Between February 24 and February 28, 2008, Slovak Foreign Minister Ján Kubiš, made an official visit to Armenia.^[29]

Australia

• Formal relations were started in 1993-01-01.
• Australia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).^[30]
• Slovakia has an embassy in Canberra and 2 honorary consulates (in Brisbane and Elsternwick).^[31]
• There are around 8,500 people of Slovak descent living in Australia.
• Australian Department of Foreign affairs and Trade about the relation with Slovakia

Canada

Colombia

• Formal relations were started in 1993-01-01.
• Colombia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).^[32]
• Slovakia is represented in Colombia through its embassy in Brasilia (Brazil).
• Slovakia backed-up Colombia's entry into the OECD and was a key player in the ratification of the Colombia-European Union Free Trade Agreement.^[32]

India

Since August 1995 India has an embassy in Bratislava and Slovakia has an embassy in New Delhi.^[33] The Slovak Government welcomed and appreciated the opening of the Embassy of India, Bratislava (one of 32 resident missions) in August 1995, which was agreed during the former PM Moravcik's visit to India and considered it as a further indication of India's interest in enhancing relations with Slovakia.^[34]

Israel

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. Israel has an embassy in Bratislava.^[35] Slovakia has an embassy in Tel Aviv.^[36] See also History of the Jews in Slovakia.

South Korea

• First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong and his Slovakian counterpart Peter Burian signed the Implementing Programme for Cooperation in the Fields of Culture Education Sport and Tourism between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul on March 17.
• The Implementing Programme aims to facilitate cooperation between the ROK and Slovakia in the fields of culture education sport and tourism, including people-to-people and content exchanges It also encourages the two countries to participate in cultural and sport events hosted by the other country.
• This Implementing Programme is the first implementing programme signed since the ROK and Slovakia concluded the Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Education and Tourism in 2007. The Implementing Programme is expected to contribute to expanding bilateral exchanges and promoting friendly relations by encouraging the two countries to implement cooperation programs in culture, education, sport and tourism for the next three years.^[37]

United States

• Formal relations were started in 1993-01-01
• The U.S. maintains an embassy in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Slovakia
• List of diplomatic missions in Slovakia
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Slovakia)

References

1. "Citizenship, East and West". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
2. Amt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten (ed.): Liechtenstein and the Slovak Republic establish diplomatic relations, 9 December 2009.
3. "Slovak Republic". The World Factbook. CIA. 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
4. "1955: Communist states sign Warsaw Pact". BBC News. 14 May 1955. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
5. "rakusko.eu". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
6. "Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí a európskych záležitostí Slovenskej republiky". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
7. Bulgarian embassy in Bratislava
8. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Sofii". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
9. Slovak embassy in Nicosia
10. Danish embassy in Bratislava
11. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Kodani". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
12. "Greece.sk". Greece.sk. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
13. Hungarian embassy in Bratislava (in Hungarian and Slovak only)
14. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Budapešti". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
15. "Latvian, Slovak foreign ministers praise ties, discuss EU, NATO integration". BNS. 2000-11-06. Retrieved 2009-06-11. Relations between Latvia and Slovakia are good and have a potential for development, Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan agreed in the talks in Riga today. Latvia and Slovakia have common foreign policy aims which facilitate bilateral relations and discussions. Berzins and Kukan agreed that both countries were interested in development of a political dialogue, cooperation between foreign and defence ministries, as well as...
16. "Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bratislava, Slovakia". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
17. Polish embassy in Bratislava
18. "Portal piekarniczy, portal dla piekarzy, piece piekarnicze, Piekarnie Online". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
19. (Polish) Informacje o Polsce - informacje ogólne. Page gives Polish PWN Encyklopedia as reference.
20. "AMBASADA ROMÂNIEI în Republica Slovacă". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
21. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Bukurešti". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
22. "Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Slovak Republic". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
23. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Belehrade". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
24. Slovak embassy in Kiev
25. "Посольство України в Словацькій Республіці". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
26. Serhy Yekelchyk "Ukraine: Birth of a Modern Nation", Oxford University Press (2007), ISBN 978-0-19-530546-3 (page 128-130)
27. "UK and Slovakia". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
28. "Veľvyslanectvo Slovenskej republiky v Londýne". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
29. • Slovakia recognises the Armenian genocide.
    Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Ján Kubiš’s visit to Armenia
30. Australian embassy in Vienna (also accredited to Slovakia)
31. "Slovakemb-Aust.org". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
32. "- Cancillería". Cancillería. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
33. "english - Embassy of India in Slovak Republic". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
34. http://www.indianembassy.sk/uk_02_01.html
35. "2BackToHomePage3". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
36. Slovak embassy in Tel Aviv
37. http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/press/pressreleases/index.jsp?menu=m_10_20&sp=/webmodule/htsboard/template/read/engreadboard.jsp%3FtypeID=12%26boardid=302%26seqno=314998