National Day of Slovak Republic marked in Chișinău

National Day of the Slovak Republic was celebrated on 19 November in Chișinău, at a reception hosted by His Excellency Pavol Ivan, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic. The event was dedicated to the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. November 17 is "Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day" in Slovakia. In his speech, Ambassador Pavol Ivan reaffirmed Bratislava authorities' support for Moldova's accession to the European Union and announced the launch of an air route from Chișinău to Slovakia's capital.

Pavol Ivan reconfirmed Slovakia's and the Slovak Government's support for the accession process, noting the recent endorsement of the EU Council Summit conclusions from October 23, 2025.


"We wish for Moldova to soon open the first negotiation clusters for accession, based on the recent European Union enlargement report, which confirmed Moldova's further progress. My country will continue to provide expertise and development assistance to the Republic of Moldova and its authorities in various sectors, within reciprocal consultations, and will share with Moldova our experience in integration, pre-accession processes, and reforms," declared the Slovak ambassador.


Pavol Ivan highlighted the close bilateral relations between Slovakia and Moldova, recalling the mutual official visits in recent years and the evolution of bilateral trade, which reached 227 million euros in 2024, with a surplus for Moldova for the first time in the last three decades. Ivan also pointed out the untapped potential in the industrial and technological sectors, as well as the expanded cooperation in the fields of economics, labor, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

The ambassador mentioned the SlovakAid projects, which include 12 existing projects and 6 new grants focused on environmental protection, business development, and supporting entrepreneurs in organic agriculture. Slovakia also supports energy efficiency and labor safety in Moldova, including through Twinning projects and investments in schools and infrastructure.

In tourism and transportation, the Ambassador announced the launch of direct flights between Bratislava and Chișinău, through Wizz Air, starting in January 2026.


"I am pleased that more Moldovans are visiting Slovakia and that more Slovak tourists are discovering places of interest and tourist routes in Moldova. In the context of tourism, business opportunities, and cultural and sports exchanges, I would like to draw attention to the fact that the airline Wizz Air will establish a direct link between Bratislava and Chișinău. Direct flights will begin three times a week, starting in January 2026," the ambassador stated.


 

National Day of Slovakia commemorates, on November 17, the Velvet Revolution of 1989, and on January 1, the anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak state, following the peaceful separation of the former Czechoslovakia.

Slovakia -  a modern, democratic, independent and sovereign state, an active and responsible member of the international community, committed to sustainable cooperation and partnerships with the Republic of Moldova.