Indonesia, Slovakia enjoy harmonious relations: VP Ma’ruf Amin

Bratislava, The Gulf Observer: Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said Indonesia has been enjoying harmonious relations with Slovakia, as both countries share deep connections in history and trade activities.

On the sidelines of his visit to Bratislava, Slovakia, on Saturday, Amin noted that since the administration of Indonesia’s first President Soekarno, Indonesia has been maintaining relations with Czechoslovakia, which then transformed into Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 1993.

“Since the time of Czechoslovakia, in the era of President Soekarno, this country has been maintaining close relations with Indonesia,” he said.

VP Amin is scheduled to continue his activities in Slovakia on Sunday by participating in a national dialogue that will be attended by Indonesian citizens residing in Bratislava and its surroundings.

Following the national dialogue, he will meet with halal industry business actors and the management of the Islamic Foundation of Slovakia.

Later on Monday (November 27), the vice president will join bilateral meetings with Slovakian President Zuzana Caputová and Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister/Economic Affairs Minister Denisa Sakova.

According to Amin, the intense trade ties between Indonesia and Slovakia serves as proof of the well-fostered bilateral relations between the two countries.

Indonesia has been exporting coffee, tea, and spare parts to Slovakia, he said, adding that this Central European country is a producer of motorized vehicles and weapons.

“Hence, we have been enjoying close trade ties,” Amin remarked.

Based on data provided by the Indonesian Trade Ministry, the total value of trade between Indonesia and Slovakia has been increasing by 6.5 percent on an annual basis. In 2022, the total trade value reached US$65.4 million, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus of US$12.9 million.

After concluding his agendas in Slovakia, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin is scheduled to visit Malaysia.