UK and Slovakia step up cooperation in security and trade
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer signed a joint declaration on closer cooperation on 21 February 2023 in London.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and the Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer signing the joint declaration.
The UK and Slovakia have signalled their joint commitment to continue providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, in the week that marks 1 year since the start of Putin’s illegal invasion.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly signed a joint declaration in London with his Slovak counterpart, Rastislav Káčer, underlining the European partners’ firm and unwavering rejection of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.
As NATO allies, the ministers agreed to deepen defence cooperation to protect European security, as well as stepping up work together to counter disinformation and malicious cyber activity.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:
Since day one of Putin’s illegal invasion, the UK and Slovakia have been staunch allies in our support to Ukraine.
As we approach a year since the conflict began, we must maintain our collective resolve and accelerate military support so that Ukraine can win this war.
The Foreign Secretary welcomed the crucial support Slovakia has already provided to Ukraine, including the provision of military hardware, training to Ukrainian troops and providing shelter to over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
The joint declaration also seeks to strengthen economic ties and cooperation on shared priorities including countering illegal migration in Europe and combatting climate change.
Five years on from of the murder of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, the Foreign Secretary also expressed his hope that all involved in the horrific attack will be held to account.
2023 marks 30 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Slovakia, which the ministers looked forward to building on as good friends and allies, as well as protecting our shared values of freedom and democracy.
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Updates to this page
Published 21 February 2023Last updated 21 February 2023 + show all updates
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Slovakia translation added.
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First published.