How much are the Baltic countries interesting for Slovakia in economic terms?
M. L.: Like Slovakia, the Baltic countries are among the new EU Member States therefore it is necessary to foster bilateral economic relations between our countries and exchange experience in order to overcome the global economic crisis with success. Slovakia may offer cooperation in restoring industry, for example food industry (sugar refineries, bakeries, sweets and biscuits producing companies), technology supplies and railway reconstruction. The Baltic countries have one geographical advantage the Slovakia is lacking, that is, access to sea. This advantage should be utilised in the time of crisis in order to reinforce our presence in this particular region; it means that favourable social and economic conditions should be created as soon as possible in order for Slovakia to be able to successfully pursue its interests on the Baltic shore. It is also necessary to find new forms of mutual support to businesses and develop partnership projects with the option of drawing EU funds.
