The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, extended his congratulations to Hungary's new leader, Peter Magyar, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation between the two countries.
He also expressed appreciation towards the departing Prime Minister Viktor Orban following a significant electoral outcome. Fico, an important supporter who had previously demonstrated support for Orban before the commencement of voting, stated that Slovakia was prepared to establish strong partnerships and engage in collaborative efforts to safeguard energy interests, a priority that still persisted.
Following a sixteen-year tenure, experienced nationalist leader Orban was defeated in the recent election, in which Magyar and his emerging center-right Tisza party secured a decisive majority in parliamentary seats.
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Under the leadership of Fico, who resumed office in 2023, Slovakia has developed a strong partnership with Hungary, as both countries have cultivated friendly relations with Moscow, resisted sanctions imposed by the European Union, and continued to trade with Russia for oil and gas.
Both parties have endeavored to resume the transportation of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which has been non-operational since late January following damage in Ukraine that was attributed to a Russian attack, according to Kyiv.
Fico expressed his belief that Slovakia, Hungary, and Central Europe maintain interest in reinitiating operations.
He also noted that the government's objective of coordinating with Hungary to safeguard energy interests remains consistent. Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that the repairs to the pipeline, as reported in nL8N40S11K, are expected to be finalized by spring.
Previously, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng oversaw a formal welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hà Nội for the visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is conducting an official visit to Việt Nam lasting three days. PM Hưng expressed his joy in receiving the initial foreign visitor during his term as Prime Minister, highlighting the continuous growth of the longstanding friendship and diverse collaboration between Việt Nam and Slovakia.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the two leaders engaged in discussions and observed the signing and exchange of collaboration documents between Việt Nam and Slovakia. Before the discussions took place, they toured a photographic exhibition highlighting the nations, citizens, and enduring ties between Việt Nam and Slovakia.
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In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations amounted to US$1.73 billion, which increased to $1.78 billion in 2025. Slovakia officially endorsed the EU–Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in February 2023, establishing a robust legal framework for investment relations.
By December 2025, Slovakia had 16 active investment ventures in Việt Nam, totaling $140.87 million in registered capital, while Việt Nam had one project valued at $447,000 in Slovakia. Cooperation in various sectors such as security-defense, science-technology, culture-tourism, and labor has been consistently maintained and gradually broadened. Notably, Slovakian nationals were granted visa-free access to Việt Nam from August 15, 2025, until August 14, 2028.