§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relationship with Slovakia; what ministerial visits have taken place there in the past 12 months; what bilateral trade initiatives and contracts the United Kingdom has with that country; and how many official Slovakian visits have been made to the United Kingdom in the past year.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe United Kingdom maintains close relations with Slovakia. Since September 1993, six British Ministers have visited the country. During the same period, the Slovak Foreign Minister, two other Ministers and the Slovak Speaker have visited Britain. The Slovak President attended the D-day ceremonies in Britain in June this year.
Trade is increasing, totalling about £70 million for the first eight months of this year. The Department of Trade and Industry is actively encouraging British companies to look at opportunities in Slovakia.