His Excellency Dr Róbert Ondrejcsák, Ambassador of Slovakia to the United Kingdom, addressed Cardiff Business Club in the Club’s latest event, sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland, on 10 July.
Róbert spoke about 30 years of remarkable journey since Slovakia became a sovereign state in 1993.
His speech shed light on the successful transition of Slovakia into a modern democratic country, emphasizing the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights that form the foundation of the Slovak Republic. He shared inspiring stories of the resilience and determination of the Slovak people, their commitment to progress, and their contribution to the international community. The speech highlighted the accomplishments and transformative changes that Slovakia has undergone over the past three decades.
Transformation to a market economy and multi-party democracy was a challenging process and Slovakia had to deal with many difficulties on its path. Foreign direct investment has played a pivotal role in the economic transformation and the United Kingdom is an important investment partner. It is currently the 11th largest investor in Slovakia, totalling around 1,55 billion euros of worth. British investments are mainly oriented towards the business sector, services and trade.
Dr Róbert Ondrejcsák said: “The country’s strategic location at the heart of Europe, skilled labour force, and competitive cost structure have been instrumental in attracting global companies across various sectors. Automotive, electronics, information technology, and manufacturing are just a few examples of industries that have thrived in Slovakia, fostering job creation and contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.”
Róbert shared his view on the most important international partnerships and clear geopolitical orientation of Slovakia. He also talked about the unwavering support of Ukraine: “We have to do everything that we can to help our neighbour. Ukraine is bravely fighting off the bloody Russian aggression. The Ukrainians want freedom, the very same thing that we wanted 30 years ago.”
The ambassador provided insights into Slovakia’s progress, challenges, and future prospects. From political stability and economic growth to European integration and regional cooperation, Slovakia has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic small nation on the global stage.
