On July 17, First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov held consultations with Lukas Parizek, State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, in Moscow.

The officials held a detailed exchange of views on important issues of bilateral cooperation. They noted the constructive character of Russia-Slovakia relations and reaffirmed their intention to develop them further in areas of mutual interest. They agreed on a schedule for consultations between both countries’ foreign ministries in 2019-2020. To consolidate the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties, the officials agreed to hold the 19^th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Slovakia before the end of this year and also to organise a regular session of their Business Council.

The diplomats also discussed Ukraine’s domestic conflict, the situation in Syria and on the Korean Peninsula, Russia’s relations with the United States, the European Union and NATO and the prospects for cooperation in the context of Slovakia’s forthcoming OSCE chairmanship in 2019.

Mr Parizek gave Mr Titov the original document on ratifying by Slovakia of the protocol on introducing amendments to the agreement on establishing the International Investment Bank. This completes the ratification of the bank’s fundamental documents by all of its participating states, which will allow it to function and develop as a full-fledged and effective instrument to implement joint projects.

The Slovak official also handed to Mr Titov the original document on the ratification of the protocol on introducing amendments to the agreement on the establishment and functioning of the International Bank for Economic Cooperation.