From 25 to 28 October 2010, King of Norway Harald V and his wife Sonja paid the first official visit from Norwegian Royalty to the Slovak Republic in its history.

After bilateral negotiations, President Ivan Gašparovič said he was very pleased that the Royal Couple accepted his invitation and made the trip to Slovakia. Both parties stressed the high quality of relations between the two countries. “This visit is also important to us due to the fact that it takes place on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of a great Norwegian citizen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Over the course of his life, he did all he could to defend the rights of oppressed small nations that existed in those times. And we are very pleased that he also spoke specifically of the status of Slovaks in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, I say to His Majesty that, if this anniversary is a great holiday for Norwegians, it is also a great holiday for Slovaks.”

During the discussion, both gentlemen touched upon the history of their respective countries and concluded that there was a certain similarity in the process of achieving independence. The main topic of the meeting, however, was in the present, and included utilisation of opportunities for economic cooperation and the development of cooperation in science, research and education.

Mr. Gašparovič highlighted the quality and importance of bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. He also stated his appreciation of the project of the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism, which should, in the period from 2010 to 2014, bring to Slovakia funds amounting to some €80 million. King Harald V also expressed an interest in visiting in person the largest Norwegian investment in Slovakia – the aluminium plant in Žiar nad Hronom.

The King of Norway and the Slovak President discussed the cooperation of both countries in the area of foreign policy and the participation of soldiers in peace missions. They also tackled the issue of the Western Balkans, as well as migration and the Roma.

King Harald V also underscored the importance of the international conference on modern commerce, which he attended along with the Slovak President. The King of Norway declared that a 70-member delegation of Norwegian businessmen proves the interest of both parties in expanding economic relations.

During the stay, the Royal Couple paid a visit to the In Vino wine company in Modra and attended the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. The guests from Norway also had a chance to admire uniquely historical items in Banská Štiavnica.