Slovakia

Political relations

The France-Slovakia relationship intensified in 2023, with a visit by President Macron in May that saw the signing of a new action plan for the Strategic Partnership.

Our bilateral relationship is built on the 2008 Strategic Partnership, of which the action plan was renewed in 2013, 2018 and 2023. It has intensified dialogue, developed economic ties (cross-investment, trade, tourist flows), and brought about cultural cooperation, particularly in the educational field.

The 2023-2027 action plan aims to strengthen every dimension of our bilateral relationship: political partnership, security and defence cooperation, economic relations, cooperation on the environment and energy, on transport and tourism, on justice and administration, in the cultural and scientific fields, and in the area of health.

The year 2023 saw the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Slovakia (1 January 1993), marked with several cultural, academic and economic events organized in both countries throughout the year.

Economic relations

France is Slovakia’s fifth-largest customer and ninth-largest supplier. French goods exports to the country stood at €3.2 billion in 2022, with metal products and transport equipment accounting for half. Slovak exports to France, mainly of automobiles, stood at €5.4 billion that year.

Following a period of significant French investment in Slovakia, including the arrival of GDF and EDF in 2002, then PSA in 2003 (plant in Trnava, 50km from Bratislava), leading to the arrival of several French parts manufacturers, disengagement has been seen since 2012 with the departure of GDF Suez, EDF and Suez Environnement.

There has however been an uptick in the French presence and French subsidiaries numbered 488 in December 2019. The Stellantis site is being reorganized to focus on electric vehicles. In the services sector, Orange is the leading mobile telephone operator in the country, where it has been present since 1997. Veolia is very present in the heating networks field. French construction companies are also well established in Slovakia.