Joint Statement
Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia
Miroslav Lajcák, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Slovak Republic
16 February 2010
Media release
Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák welcomed Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith to Slovakia on Tuesday 16 February 2010.
This was the first visit to the Slovak Republic by an Australian Foreign Minister.
Mr Smith’s visit follows the successful visit to Australia in October 2008 of the former Slovak Foreign Minister.
Slovakia and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1993.
The two countries enjoy warm and friendly relations underpinned by strong people-to-people links.
The Slovak community in Australia numbers more than 10,000 and has made an important and positive contribution to the bilateral relationship.
A Slovakian was the first person to become a naturalised Australian citizen in a ceremony held in Canberra on 3 February 1949.
More than 1,500 Slovakian students were enrolled to study in Australia in 2008.
Minister Lajčák and Minister Smith had a constructive and forward-looking discussion on a broad range of issues.
The two Ministers agreed there were opportunities to broaden and deepen the bilateral relationship.
They welcomed progress in the negotiation of a Social Security Agreement between Slovakia and Australia, and recent progress on proposed bilateral treaties for extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
Slovakia and Australia share a commitment to multilateralism.
Ministers discussed Australia becoming an Asian Partner for Cooperation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Australia and Slovakia share a strong interest in strengthening the international order and working with like-minded countries for international peace, security and prosperity.
Ministers noted the respective contributions of Australia and the Slovak Republic to international peacekeeping operations.
Australia looks forward to working with Slovakia to make a constructive, practical contribution to the work of the OSCE.
The two Ministers also discussed areas of cooperation under the Australia-EU Partnership Framework and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
Australia welcomed very much Slovakia’s support for Australian participation in ASEM.
The Minister’s noted their similarity of views over nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Slovakia and Australia work together as part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment, both military and civilian, to international stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan.
Slovakian and Australian troops serve side-by-side in Oruzgan province.
Media contacts
- Mr Smith's office: 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison: 02 6261 1555