I am very glad to be given the opportunity to introduce my country - the Slovak Republic and the current situation of Slovak - Chinese relations. Already more than four years passed since my arrival in Beijing and I presented my credentials to H.E. Mr. Jiang Zemin. It was not my first visit to your beautiful city because in 1996 as a member of the Slovak parliamentary delegation, I participated the Session of the Inter - Parliamentary Union which held a conference in Beijing. At that time I had a chcnce not only to visit the most important historical monuments of your capital but also to establish new relations with many Chinese people which later became my best friends.

　　General information about Slovakia

　　Slovakia is a small country in the center of Europe, lying between the majestic arc of the great Carpathian chain and the second largest river in Europe, the Danube.

　　Slovakia covers an area of 49,039 square km and has a population of 5.4 million. The Capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, which has more than 500,000 inhabitants. The ethnic breakdown of the population is 85.6% Slovaks, 10.8% Hungarians, and the remaining 3.6% are made up of Gypsies, Czechs, Ruthenians, Ukrainians and Germans. The official language is Slovak. The majority of the population is Roman-Catholic. Lutheranism is the second most practiced religion and a significant part of population of Eastern Slovakia is Greek Catholic and Orthodox.

　　Slovakia has a wealth of beautiful natural attractions. From a bird view, it seems that Slovakia is a country of mountains, rivers and lakes. The landscape of Slovakia is, however, very varied in relief. There are areas of high mountains and upland plains, one third is covered by forest and one half is fertile agriculture land. There are also wealth of mineral and thermal springs, which are used for curative and recreational purposes. The mountains and hilly regions on the other hand provide climatic spa treatment. Slovakia has 7 national parks and whole range of protected landscape areas and nature reserves. Underground caverns - karst, ice and aragonite caves offers a unique kind of beauty formed by nature.

　　The landscape bears all the characteristic traits of the temperate zone with a transitional oceanic-continental climate. Slovakia is predominantly a hilly country. The lowlands in the south and east of Slovakia form only 29% of its territory; the remaining 71% to the north are taken up by the mountainous landscape of the temperate zone, forming the Carpathian Mountains.

　　Historical overview

　　Slovakia is a young country with a long history. Already in 5th century Slavic tribes from which Slovaks derive their ethnic origin began settling the area of modern Slovakia.

　　1848--1849 emergence of the political and constitutional program of the Slovaks happened, for the first time, Slovakia entered modern European history as an independent nation. The Slovak National Council became its representative and its members struggled for an autonomous Slovakia within the framework of the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1861, the Memorandum of the Slovak Nation was published.

　　In October 28, 1918, the Czechoslovakia as a common state of Slovaks and Czechs was created after the disintegration of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. During the World War II, the independent Slovak Stateshavingsbeen forced by Hitler to become a puppet state of Nazi Germany existed.

　　In August 29, 1944, the Slovak National Uprising, the armed uprising against the German Nazis, started. In April 1945, Slovakia was liberated by the Soviet Army and in May 1945, Czechoslovakia was re-established with pre-war frontiers except from the eastern part (Trans Carpathian Ukraine) which came over to the USSR.

　　In February 25, 1948, Communist Party took power and established a totalitarian regime wholly dependent on the USSR. In August 21, 1968, invasion of the Warsaw Pact troopssintosCzechoslovakia terminated the struggle for the reform of socialism led by Slovak politician Alexander Dubcek and brought along the renovation of regime. November 17, 1989 is the beginning of the revolutionary events that led to the restoration of democracy in Czechoslovakia in that time federal state of Slovaks and Czechs. In July 1992, the Slovak National Council proclaimed the sovereignty of the Slovak Republic and adopted the Slovak Constitution in September 1, 1992.

　　On January 1, 1993, the declaration of an independent and sovereign Slovak Republic emerged after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia.

　　Slovakia's Culture and Historical Heritage

　　Its history and cultural traditions place Slovakia among the mature countries of Europe. Thanks to its central position in this continent, it has always been crossroads of cultures, a country, which both absorbed values and passed on its own to others cultures. Museums and galleries take care of this heritage. They are the keys to knowledge of the culture, the fascinating history of the nations as well as the natural landscape. At the present time there are 70 museums and 20 art galleries in Slovakia, over hundred other exhibitions, memorial rooms and open-air museums. Every large town has its own theatre, among which the three largest are opera and ballet companies; two of them also have operetta stages. There are numerous chamber orchestras and three symphony orchestras, which, together with opera soloist spread the good name of Slovak music and interpretation farsintosworld. International festivals such as Bratislava Music Festival, Zvolen Castle Festival, Folk Festival in Detva, Vychodna and elsewhere represent the cultural traditions as well as the contemporary artistic achievements of Slovak nation.

　　Past ages left a great number of historical monuments of various styles and degree of preservation on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Romanesque rotundas, Gothic sacral buildings, Renaissance and Baroque manor houses and the large sections of towns with intermingled architectural elements produced over the centuries can be found. Selected town-planning units with great historical value have been declared as town monument reserves. The Slovak Republic has 16 listed towns monuments reserves and a further 158 cultural monuments.

　　Economic and Commercial Cooperation between Slovakia and China

　　The Slovak Republic is a member of the World Trade Organization. Slovakia is also an associated member of the European Union and a founding member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). In 2002, Slovakia became the 30th member of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

　　In February 2001 the state councilors of China, Madame Wu Yi, visited Slovakia. Important discussions on further development of Slovak - China economic and commercial cooperation were achieved with promising conclusions.

　　The results of the Slovak - Chinese economic and commercial cooperation are encouraging, but they still do not correspond with the potential of our both countries, although the export of Slovak products to China increased from the amount of USD 12.6 million. to USD 22 miliion. in 2001 for the period of eight months this year. Slovakia exports to China metallurgical products, machinery of various kind, washing machines, agricultural tractors, hydraulics, spare parts, raw materials, chemical products, pharmaceutical goods, health-care technology etc. On the other hand, Slovakia imports from China textile and garments, shoes, leather products, toys, chemical and pharmaceutical products, household appliances, electronics, processed fruit and vegetables, artificial flowers, machinery, instruments, tools, cameras, etc.

　　There is a potential for Slovak exporters to enhance their commercial relations with their Chinese partners in such fields as road making machinery, electrical equipment, means of transport, agricultural machinery, environmental equipment, technologies for oil and gas industries. Slovak firms are interested in participating in Chinese investment projects, e.g. in the building of both classical and nuclear power plants, car tires and rubber processing production facilities. In august 2002 companies from the Slovak republic and the Czech Republic started to build the 3rd and 4th blocks of the SHEN TOU power plant. Slovak firms are also interested in establishing joint ventures with their Chinese counterparts in various fields, both in Slovakia and in China. The government of the Slovak Republic has adopted powerful measures to attract foreign direct investmentsintosSlovak economy.

　　There are several agreements facilitating bilateral Slovak - Chinese cooperation. These agreements represent good basis for further development of our mutual cooperation, especially in the economic and commercial sphere.

　　Joint Slovak-- Chinese Commission for Commercial and Economic Cooperation

　　The Agreement on Commercial and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the People's Republic of China stipulates the establishment of the joint Slovak - Chinese commission for commercial and economic cooperation. It is the task of this commission to resolve possible problems, which could arise in bilateral economic and commercial relations, it should facilitate information exchange concerning laws and regulations in both countries, and it is the basis for the exchange of ideas to promote the development of commercial and economic relations between our two states.

　　Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic in January 1993, there have been five sessions of this commission; the last one took place in Bratislava in November 2000. It is expected that the next session of the commission will take place in Beijing in November 2002.

　　The Economic and Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Beijing is ready to provide comprehensive, up-to-date information concerning the Slovak economy and commerce, the privatization process in the Slovak Republic etc. It is the right place to meet one another, to discuss possible partnerships, to look for ways how to enhance exchange of goods, promote services, accumulate capital, assess promising projects for realization in Slovakia, as well as in China.

　　Impression of China

　　Owing to traditional interest of Slovak scholars and artists in China with its immensely rich history and culture, there is plenty of information sources on all major developments Chinese civilization both in the past and present. At least basic knowledge of Chinese history and the most important achievements of Chinese culture in the field of science, fine arts and state building is indispensable part of cultural knowledge of anyone considering oneself well-educated and broad-minded person. When it comes for diplomats to be posted and work in China every of us have to undergo thorough and comprehensive preparation due to carry out its mission successfully. Not a minor part of preparation of course consists of getting an improved knowledge of Chinese history, culture, society and current developments.

　　Despite preparations all of us usually found ourselver struck by surprise after arrival in many areas. First, the actual dimension and speed of economic progress being the most visible around Beijing and other major cities goes far beyond expectation.

　　Talking about historical sites worth of visit among my colleagues at the Embassy there is a consensus appraisal for recent wise effort of the Chinese government not just to keep these places and structures preserved but to make them integral part of modern city environment for use and joy of common people. Just one example among others - besides world-known treasuries as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Beijing's hutong areas should definitely survive renovated and refurbished as a living and unique part of historical city dwelling. Among fieldsswheresrapid progress is impressive the environmental protection has to be listed. There is no secret that positive results especially in this field are sincerely welcome within diplomatic corps in Beijing and certainly highly appreciated by the locals. As for Beijing, it is widely believed that similar success will be gained in developing the modern city transportation system. The guarantee for that and other successful achievements both in economic and social reforms is in the number of dedicated and skilful people including more and more self-conscious young generation I have had pleasure to deal with on various occasions.

　　Allow me to conclude with my sincere wish to Chinese people of all paths to be successful in accomplishment of their efforts to develop prosperous and wealthy China open to international community. Achieving this goal they can always find friends in Slovakia ready to help and cooperate. The very fresh prove of traditionally friendly relations between our two countries and peoples and various interactions between Slovak and Chinese cultures is a joint Slovakia-China postage stamp issued in October this year.