Slovakia is interested in deepening economic relations with Monaco, and economic cooperation has great potential for growth, the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár declared on Wednesday during a visit to the Principality of Monaco. He sees primarily digital transformation and artificial intelligence as promising areas for Slovak investments. According to him, there are also opportunities in tourism, gastronomy, real estate and financial services. TASR was informed about this by the communication department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MFA) of the Slovak Republic.
In short:
- Slovakia focuses on deepening economic relations with Monaco
- Investment options include digital transformation, AI, real estate and tourism
- Bilateral negotiations highlighted the current revival of relations between the countries
- The discussion included geopolitical issues and cooperation at the international level
As part of the official working visit, Blanár held bilateral negotiations with Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeiová. At the meeting, both highlighted the revival of mutual relations and agreed on the need to deepen economic ties.
Revival of international cooperation
“Slovakia and Monaco have a number of common positions and I am pleased that the relations between our countries have recently revived significantly on several levels,” said Blanár, mentioning the resumption of the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in Monaco in April 2025 and also the October visit of the Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Raši. At the same time, he is convinced that his negotiations with the head of Monaco’s diplomacy, whom he invited for an official visit to Slovakia, will contribute significantly to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
“Our interest is to work on deepening economic relations, an example of which is today’s (Wednesday) Slovak-Monaco business forum, which I opened in Monaco,” the Slovak minister explained.
Investment support and cultural cooperation
The head of Slovak diplomacy highlighted the investment of the Monaco company Megaplast, which created more than 250 jobs in Slovakia in 2016. According to him, Slovakia offers investors through the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) favorable conditions in which Monaco businessmen show interest.
At the meeting, the ministers raised the issue of possible cooperation in the field of culture, which, according to Blanár, is an effective tool for strengthening the partnership. “The proof is the recent presentation of the book and documentary film Zem by Slovak photographer Filip Kulisev, whose baptism took place in Monaco under the auspices of Prince Albert II of Monaco,” he said. In this regard, Slovakia is ready to offer other top artists, for example in the field of classical music.
Geopolitical issues and intercountry adoptions
Blanár also discussed current international topics with Berro-Amadeiová, including the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. They agreed that at a time of growing geopolitical tensions, adherence to international law is the strongest thing smaller states like Slovakia and Monaco have available to protect their interests. According to Blanár, Slovakia is ready to cooperate closely with Monaco during its upcoming presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for the period May – November 2026.
According to the minister, Slovakia and Monaco have the same attitudes towards the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. “We share the same opinion, which is that it is necessary to continue the dialogue started by the administration of US President Donald Trump. And we also think that even a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is a promise for the future that the situation of civilians who have been exposed to a huge humanitarian crisis will finally improve,” he added.
During the visit, Blanár also held talks with the Secretary General for Justice and the director of Monaco’s judicial services, Samuel Vuelta Simon. The partners appreciated the communication of the competent authorities of both countries in the field of interstate adoption of children.
The Slovak minister also met with the chairman of the Monaco Economic Council, Guillaume Rose, and the chairman of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Monaco, Marc Lecourt.
