Slovakia

Bilateral relationship

 

New Zealand's relationship with Slovakia is modest, but there is a strong history of goodwill.  We work together in multilateral forums.  New Zealand also values its relationship with Slovakia as a European Union member state.

Czechoslovakia was traditionally one of New Zealand's largest trading partners in Central Europe. Trade relations between New Zealand and Slovakia are limited, but have increased over recent years.

Czechoslovakia opened a Consulate-General in Wellington in 1954. Diplomatic ties were expanded in 1976 with the accreditation of the Czechoslovak Ambassador in Jakarta to New Zealand and the New Zealand Ambassador in Vienna to Czechoslovakia.

A Working Holiday Scheme with Slovakia was opened in April 2012, offering an opportunity to build closer ties.

Currently the Ambassador of Slovakia, resident in Canberra, is accredited to New Zealand. Slovakia opened a Consulate in Auckland in September 2000. The New Zealand Ambassador in Vienna is accredited to Slovakia.

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Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area 48,845 sq km
Population 5.4 million (2011)
Capital City Bratislava
Language Slovak (official), Hungarian

Political

Political system Parliamentary Republic
National government the Direction-Social Democracy party has an absolute majority in the Parliament
National legislature Slovak National Council of 150 members
Last elections March 2012 (legislative) - April 2009 (presidential)
Next elections due 2016 (legislative) – by April 2014 (presidential)
Head of State President Ivan Gasparovic (since 15 June 2004)
Head of Government Prime Minister Robert Fico (since 4 April 2012)

Economic (2011)

GDP US$96.1 billion
Real GDP growth 3.3%
Exports US$78.5 billion
Imports US$75.1 billion
Main exports Cars, machinery and electrical equipment, metals, plastics
Inflation 4.6%
Unemployment 13.2%

New Zealand Trade (year ended December 2011)

NZ Exports (FOB) NZ$404,897
Main Exports Plastics, medicial equipment, wine
NZ Imports (CIF) NZ$ 9.9 million
Main Imports Electrical machinery, machinery, furniture and bedding, paper and paperboardtop of page

Visits

New Zealand Ministerial visits to Slovakia

• Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence, October, 2009
• Hon Phil Goff Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, September 2003

Slovakia Ministerial visits to New Zealand

• Jozef Migas Chairman of the Slovak National Council, September 2000
• Dr Eduard Kukan Foreign Minister August 1999
• Peter Brño Economic Ministry’s State Secretary for Foreign Trade April 1999

Representation

• The Ambassador of Slovakia, resident in Canberra, is accredited to New Zealand.
• Slovakia opened a Consulate in Auckland in September 2000
• The New Zealand Ambassador in Vienna is accredited to Slovakia [external link].

Travel advice

The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Slovakia [external link].

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