32nd anniversary of Slovak Constitution Day marked in HCM City

In his congratulatory speech, Bui Quang Hai, chairman of the Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the Republic of Slovakia and Czechoslovakia had historically enjoyed a traditional friendship with Vietnam.

Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia on February 2, 1950, which later served as the basis for diplomatic relations between the country and Slovakia, as well as being the foundation for the friendship between the two countries’ people over the past 30 years.

The country has received practical and effective support and assistance from the Government and people of the former Czechoslovakia and today's Slovakia.

Over the years, Slovakia has remained an important partner of the country in the Central and Eastern European region. Two-way trade turnover between both sides has increased steadily every year.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government and people of Slovakia provided 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the nation, showing the affection and sound friendship that still exists between both sides.

On this occasion, Hai expressed his sincere thanks to the Embassy of the Republic of Slovakia in Vietnam and the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Slovakia in Ho Chi Minh City for actively co-ordinating with the Vietnam - Slovakia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City and the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City over the past years to successfully organise meaningful people-to-people diplomacy activities, thereby contributing to enhancing the friendship that exists between the two nations.

Marian Veres, Chargé d'Affaires of the Slovak Republic in Vietnam, said that celebrations like this are held annually in Vietnam to further affirm the depth of friendship that exists.

He stated that Slovakia and Vietnam are geographically far apart, but very close in many aspects. Since the Vietnamese community in Slovakia officially became the 14th ethnic minority in 2023, Slovak people have had the opportunity to experience many events, introducing the rich culture of Vietnam in many cities in Slovakia.

The strong traditions of exchange and rapprochement at the people's level, which was initiated by former graduates of Slovak schools, will now be continued by the next generations through these activities, he went on to say.

According to Veres, Vietnam is developing very rapidly and dynamically, thereby creating numerous opportunities for cooperation as well as new trends and global challenges.

Slovakia is therefore pleased to see economic ties between the two sides growing every year, believing that the partnership and long-term mutual friendship will be transformed into increasingly stronger and more effective linkages in trade, investment, and other fields moving forward.