Ankara, Turkey – Turkey and Slovakia signed a joint declaration on Monday, elevating their bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
The declaration followed a high-level meeting between Erdogan and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Ankara, where the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in various sectors.
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“Today, we have signed agreements between our ministries and institutions in areas such as military cooperation, defense industry, and culture,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference. “These documents will strengthen our ties and take our cooperation to even greater levels.”
Trade and Economic Collaboration
Erdogan highlighted the growing trade and investment between Turkey and Slovakia, emphasizing the joint target of $5 billion in trade volume. “This trend shows us that we will soon achieve and surpass this target,” he stated.
In February 2024, the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was established to enhance economic collaboration. Turkish investments in Slovakia have reached $12 million since 2002, while Slovakia’s investments in Turkey totaled $32 million during the same period.
Defense and Energy Security
Both sides discussed strengthening defense collaboration, with Erdogan noting plans to implement concrete projects in the defense industry.
Prime Minister Fico also addressed energy security concerns, highlighting challenges related to restricted Russian gas transit following Ukraine’s blockade. “We hope that after a ceasefire, steps will be taken to ensure energy security across Europe,” he stated.
Support for Turkey’s EU Membership Bid
Fico praised Turkey as “a major political and international actor” and voiced Slovakia’s support for Turkey’s bid to join the European Union. “I sincerely hope that Turkey’s aspiration for EU membership will materialize as soon as possible, and you have our full support,” Fico said.
A Historic Relationship
Turkey was one of the first nations to recognize Slovakia’s independence after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Since then, the two nations have maintained a strong partnership, with today’s agreements marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations.
The meeting signifies a deepening of ties between the two nations, underscoring their commitment to fostering strategic cooperation across multiple domains.
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