The New Silk route is an important geopolitical project for Slovakia, said the Finance Ministry state secretary Dana Meager at the debate organized by the Institute of Asian studies. According to her, the Slovak part of the route has the potential to develop trade in the region. "This is because the capacity of the shipped goods cannot be fully covered by the transport through Poland so part of the goods will have to be transported via an alternative route," stated Kristina Kirovská from the Institute. The unpredictable situation in Ukraine, however, remains a threat to the idea of a Slovak corridor, as it has to be crossed by the trains from China to Slovakia.
According to the professor of sinology at the Comenius University Martin Slobodnik, the New Silk Route project also has to be discussed from the perspective of the political implications of co-operation with China. "Slovakia is part of the EU and adheres to political values that do not always comply with Chinese political thinking," warns the professor. In this respect, the Institute of Asian studies analyst Matej Šimalčík pointed at the stress which the Slovak media put on the development of the Chinese economy. "However, the political aspects such as Slovak - Chinese mutual relationship and the Chinese influence on Central Europe are almost completely left out," said Šimalčík.
State Secretary Dana Meager also spoke about the 16+1 group consisting of China and 16 central and eastern European countries. "There is an incredible rivalry between our countries," she said, adding that despite uniting, we are searching for ways in which to disqualify each other from the game. The latest session of the 16+1 group was held last week in Budapest.
