The National Day of the Slovak Republic was celebrated on 19 November in Chisinau at a reception hosted by His Excellency Pavol Ivan, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic. The event marked the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. In Slovakia, 17 November is observed as the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy.
In his address, Ambassador Pavol Ivan reaffirmed the Slovak authorities’ support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union and announced the opening of a direct air route between Chisinau and Bratislava.
He emphasized Slovakia’s continued backing for Moldova’s European integration efforts, noting the recent endorsement of the October 23, 2025 EU Council Summit conclusions.
“We hope that Moldova will soon open its first accession negotiation clusters, based on the latest EU enlargement report, which confirmed the country’s continued progress. Slovakia will keep offering expertise and development assistance to the Republic of Moldova and its institutions across various sectors, and will share our experience in integration, pre-accession processes, and reforms,” the ambassador stated.
Pavol Ivan also underlined the strong bilateral relationship between Slovakia and Moldova, recalling recent reciprocal official visits and the steady growth in trade. Bilateral commercial exchanges reached €227 million in 2024, with Moldova registering a surplus for the first time in three decades. He stressed the untapped potential in industrial and technological cooperation, as well as in economic, labor, infrastructure, and environmental partnership.
The ambassador highlighted SlovakAid initiatives in Moldova, including 12 ongoing projects and six new grants focused on environmental protection, business development, and supporting entrepreneurs in organic agriculture. Slovakia is also contributing to energy efficiency and labor safety projects, including through Twinning initiatives and investments in schools and infrastructure.
In the fields of tourism and transportation, the ambassador announced the launch of direct flights between Bratislava and Chisinau, operated by Wizz Air, starting January 2026.
“I am pleased that more Moldovans are discovering Slovakia, while more Slovak tourists are exploring attractions and travel routes in Moldova. In this context of tourism, business, and cultural exchanges, I am glad to announce that Wizz Air will establish a direct connection between Bratislava and Chișinău, with flights operating three times a week starting in January 2026,” he said.
Slovakia’s National Day commemorates the Velvet Revolution of 1989 on 17 November, as well as the founding of the Slovak state on 1 January, following the peaceful dissolution of former Czechoslovakia.
Today, Slovakia stands as a modern, democratic, independent, and sovereign state — an active and responsible member of the international community, committed to sustainable cooperation and strong partnerships with the Republic of Moldova.