The Republic of Slovakia opened its embassy in Moldova. It is located at 101 Shchusev St in Chisinau, inside a historical building. For the time being, the embassy will provide consular services only for Slovak citizens. The Moldovans will continue to be issued with visas for Slovakia at the Common Visa Issuing Center housed by the Embassy of Hungary in Chisinau, IPN reports.

Attending the launch, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman said the event is held in a jubilee year as it will be 20 years of the establishment of Moldovan-Slovakian diplomatic relations. “The event is important because one more European country decided to open a representative office in Moldova. From now on, the Slovak people is not only in the heart of the European continent, but also in the heart of the capital and people of Moldova,” she stated.

Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, who is on a visit to Chisinau, said that Moldova made considerable progress towards signing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU and Slovakia is ready to support it come closer to the European Union.

An ambassador of Slovakia in Chisinau hasn’t been yet named. According to honorific consul Iurie Popovich, the Moldovan citizens will be offered consular services at the embassy when they face problems that cannot be solved at the Common Visa Issuing Center. “The embassy will make effort to develop the relations between Moldova and Slovakia and will finance development projects in different areas,” said the consul.

In a message, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca welcomes the opening of the Embassy of Slovakia in Chisinau, saying it is a gesture of solidarity and support between the two states, while the new embassy will serve as a bridge for improving the bilateral relations and attracting investments to the country’s economy.

About 40 Moldovan citizens apply for visas for Slovakia annually.