President Alar Karis visits Slovakia

President of the Republic Alar Karis will be on an official visit to Slovakia today and tomorrow to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Slovakia. President Karis will meet Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová and Prime Minister Eduard Heger in Košice.

The meetings will focus on bilateral relations between Estonia and Slovakia, strengthening cooperation and exchange of experience, especially in the fields of digitalisation, education and tourism. They will also address partnership in the European Union and NATO, and increasing deterrence and defence spending in view of the NATO Vilnius Summit.

In the context of Russia's war of aggression, the discussions will touch upon providing full support to Ukraine and continuing sanctions against Russia. The establishment of an international war crimes tribunal and the restoration of Ukraine will also be on the agenda.

Košice is the second-largest city in Slovakia, which has become the country’s digital innovation centre and, since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, the main reception centre for war refugees and a humanitarian hub.

President Karis will also visit Civitta Creative City in Košice.

The head of state will be returning to Estonia on Wednesday evening.