BRATISLAVA: UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava on Sunday, March 8, 2026, during a working visit to the Slovak capital. The meeting took place in the presence of Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár. The UAE foreign ministry said the talks reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to develop cooperation in areas identified by both sides as priorities.
According to the UAE foreign ministry, the two sides explored opportunities to expand cooperation across economic, trade and investment areas, as well as renewable energy, linking the discussions to sustainable development goals. The UAE said Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s intent to deepen ties with Slovakia and broaden cooperation across multiple fields. The UAE delegation included Minister of State Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri and Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa.
Evacuation coordination
Slovakia’s government office said the meeting at the Government Office focused mainly on the current Middle East situation and assistance for Slovak citizens in the United Arab Emirates. It said Slovakia is working with the UAE on evacuation arrangements and related logistics as travel disruptions across parts of the region have affected citizens’ ability to return home. The Slovak side also cited the role of UAE aviation links for onward travel, including the option of direct flights between Bratislava and Dubai.
The Slovak government office said the first Slovak flight from Bratislava to Dubai organized by Slovakia’s defence, foreign affairs and interior ministries is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10. It said Fico thanked the UAE for help in organizing the evacuation of Slovak citizens from the region. Slovak officials have urged citizens in affected areas to stay in contact with diplomatic services and to use voluntary registration systems to support consular outreach and updates during disruptions.
Bilateral agenda
Beyond the immediate consular focus, the Slovak government office said the talks also covered bilateral cooperation and investment projects, with energy cooperation among the areas discussed. It said Slovak officials expressed interest in cooperation related to nuclear energy, alongside wider economic engagement. The UAE foreign ministry’s account similarly highlighted trade and investment discussions and pointed to renewable energy as a priority sector, reflecting overlapping economic and energy themes raised during the Bratislava talks.
The Slovak government office said the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák and Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marek Eštok, alongside the UAE delegation. It also said Fico invited UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to pay an official visit to Slovakia. – By Content Syndication Services.