Bilateral relations between Portugal and the Slovak Republic are good, with some high-level bilateral visits and meetings over the past few years. On the economic front, bilateral relations have been gaining importance and, in 2019, the Slovak market represented Portugal’s 21st commercial customer and 34th supplier, with our country exporting EUR 419 million in goods to this market and importing EUR 236 million . According to INE data, the number of Portuguese companies exporting to the Slovak market has been increasing steadily. In terms of investment opportunities, the untapped potential seems to be quite relevant.
Slovakia is a small open economy, but its location in the center of Europe, combined with the relatively low cost of skilled labor, has provided high levels of foreign investment, making the country one of the most dynamic economies, with the highest growth in Central Europe and, certainly, one of the European countries where the industrial sector is economically most relevant. The Slovak market could be a preferred destination for the establishment of investments in some sectors, namely automobiles and moulds.
Country recognition date: Portugal recognized the Slovak Republic on January 2, 1993. Date of establishment of diplomatic relations: 27 June 1974 (Czechoslovakia) First Envoy: On September 22, 1994, the Ambassador residing in Vienna, Fernão Manuel Favila Vieira, presented credentials as a non-resident in Bratislava.Portuguese diplomatic and consular representation in Slovakia: Portuguese Embassy in Bratislava and respective Consular Section. Ambassador Fernando Manuel de Jesus Teles Fazendeiro took office on January 28, 2021 as Ambassador of Portugal in Bratislava.
Historical note:
In 1993 Slovakia declares independence, dissolving the Federation of the Czech Republic with that country; The Ambassador residing in Vienna becomes accredited as a non-resident with the Government in Bratislava. The independence of Slovakia is effective from January 1993.
Between 1994 and January 2005 (date of opening of the Embassy in Bratislava) successive Ambassadors residing in Vienna were accredited. The Embassy in Bratislava was closed in December 2013, leaving the Ambassador residing in Vienna with jurisdiction over the Slovak Republic. In 2015, the Embassy in Bratislava reopens.
Bilateral agreements:
On July 10, 1995, the Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and the respective Protocol was signed in Lisbon.On April 7, 1999, the Agreement between the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the Slovak Republic on Visa Suppression is signed in Lisbon.
On May 12, 1999, the Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic on Cooperation in the Domain of Defense is signed in Bratislava.
On February 9, 2001, the Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic is signed in Lisbon.
On June 5, 2001, the Air Transport Agreement and the Convention to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion in the Matter of Income Taxes are signed between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic. On February 17, 2003, an Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic on Scientific and Technological Cooperation is signed in Lisbon.
On July 1, 2003, an Agreement is signed in Bratislava between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic on Cooperation in the Fields of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Youth and Sports and Media. On October 25, 2007, the Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Slovak Republic on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information is signed in Bratislava.
State and official visits
On December 3, 1999, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Mikulas Dzurinda, made a trip to Portugal, being received in audience by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Jorge Sampaio, in Lisbon. Between June 26 and July 3, 2003, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Jorge Sampaio, carried out a State Visit to Slovakia.
Between 24 and 26 October 2005, the President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gasparovic, carried out a State Visit to Portugal. On 20 November 2006, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, is received in audience by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, in Lisbon.On November 12, 2007, the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Pavol Paška, is received in Audience by the President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, in Lisbon
On the 4th and 5th of September 2008, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, paid a State visit to Slovakia. On 17 September 2016, the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, participated in an informal summit in Bratislava, where he met with several European leaders. On 1 February 2020, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, participated in the Amigos da Cohesão Summit, in Beja.
