Historically, we don't have open questions. There are no obstacles to improving bilateral relations. The trade volume between our two countries last year was around $1.5 billion. It is growing fast each year. It is important that we have opened the door for cooperation between commercial companies on both sides. There is strong interest in having Chinese investment in Slovakia. It is very important that Slovak companies can cooperate with Chinese companies in the market. You have to see that there is also good cooperation in the judicial field between the offices of general prosecutors of the two countries.

Slovakia is a small country, and we don't have expertise in each field. But we are cooperating in the fields that are appropriate for our positions.

Prime Minister Fico said in a speech at the China Institute of International Studies that he had introduced some new thoughts on Slovakia's foreign policy since he took office, such as the emphasis on the economic dimension and the adaptation to the European Union's (EU) common security policy. What implications do you think these adjustments will have on the relations between China and Slovakia?

Slovakia is a member of the EU. This is the framework for our common activities in foreign and security policy. It is also a basic priority of Slovak foreign policy. What is very important between China and Slovakia is that Prime Minister Fico's government has brought the "economic dimension" to our bilateral policy.

We hope and believe Slovakia and China will do more business. We have to see that the governments can just open the door to and improve the context of business cooperation. The development of mutual business depends on commercial partnerships between companies. It is a common effort for the ministries of the economy, chambers of commerce and business partners.

Historically, we have good cooperation in such fields as energy, trade, chemicals, machinery and the automotive business. Now we are also starting to cooperate in agriculture. Chinese investment in Slovakia is mainly in information technology and telecommunications. As an authorized destination for Chinese outbound tourists, we have just started cooperation in tourism. I think in the future it will be a good field of cooperation as Slovakia invites Chinese tourists.

Our trade volume in 1998 was less than $100 million. Within nine years, it has grown to $1.5 billion, representing a fantastic rise. We see a great potential in Slovakia-China economic cooperation. We are still not satisfied with the outcome of our bilateral trade. The visit of Prime Minister Fico was important for opening and searching for further trade possibilities. Now we have to follow up the visit by encouraging concrete cooperative projects between the two countries.

Of course, it is important to note that the trade balance is in favor of China. So, we have a trade deficit with China. But this is normal in all EU countries. It is not such a big problem for us. Prime Minister Fico asked for investment from China. He wanted to show that Slovakia is open for China and is a gateway for China to Europe. Slovakia had one of the largest increases in gross domestic product in Europe, 8 percent in 2006. We also have an excellent investment environment. Therefore our prime minister said that we want Chinese companies to find out where Slovakia is and what Slovakia can offer. We have excellent political relations and now we have to add some added value to that.