PH, Slovakia eye defense and nuclear ties
MANILA — The Philippines and Slovakia will hold their first political consultations in Slovakia next year, as the two countries look to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, water management, electric vehicles and defense, Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said Thursday.
Lazaro said Slovakia could help train Filipino nuclear engineers, drawing on its experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
“That’s a big possibility because they have right now, at present, they have 60 years of experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” she said.
Water management and technical cooperation were also discussed. Lazaro cited Slovakia’s automotive and manufacturing expertise, including electric vehicle production. Blanár said Slovak companies could share expertise in nuclear energy and flood early-warning systems, and that Slovakia was also open to cooperation in the automotive and defense industries.
“We have to cooperate more closely as we are cooperating right now,” Blanár said, describing Slovakia’s interest in expanding ties with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific countries.
The ministers agreed to hold the first meeting under the countries’ existing political consultations mechanism in Slovakia next year, at the state secretary level. Blanár said the consultations would help identify areas for cooperation and discuss a legal framework, including possible protections for investment and against double taxation.
“First of all, we start a closer dialogue, and that’s very important,” he said.
On defense, Lazaro said the Philippines was considering a possible separate memorandum of understanding with Slovakia.
“We had discussions on this and I will definitely convey this to the concerned government agency on how this can be able to implement a possible MOU specifically on defense cooperation,” she said.
The two ministers also discussed economic ties between the Philippines and the European Union. Blanár said Slovakia supports closer EU-ASEAN economic engagement and free trade negotiations. Lazaro said Slovakia’s support as an EU member was important to the Philippines-EU free trade agreement negotiations, adding that “it’s a matter of time that the Philippines and the EU will be signing this very important Free Trade Agreement.”
Blanár is in the Philippines for an official visit from November 12 to 15, the first by a Slovak foreign minister since 2015. He is accompanied by a business delegation and is scheduled to keynote the Philippines-Slovak Business Forum on Friday.
Slovakia is also set to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which Lazaro said the Philippines supported. Blanár is expected to sign the declaration on Slovakia’s accession during the visit.
The Slovak Republic’s resident embassy in Manila is also scheduled to officially open Thursday. Lazaro said the permanent diplomatic presence would create new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.
The Philippines and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993. Bilateral trade reached $29.74 million in 2025, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.