UAE and Slovakian foreign ministers hold al fresco meeting to discuss Covid-19 response

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Ivan Korcok discuss ties and sat apart during talks in Abu Dhabi

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation met his Slovakian counterpart on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Ivan Korcok, Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, spoke about a range of issues as they met outside and sat apart in line with social distancing practices.

The global fight against Covid-19 featured heavily in the discussions in Abu Dhabi.

The pair focused on ongoing co-operation to share expertise about the coronavirus, as well as ways to support international efforts to tackle its spread.

Discussions also included co-operation in the areas of investment and defence.

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE was keen to further improve ties on all fronts.

The meeting was also attended by Slovakia's Minister of Defence Jaroslav Nad, and Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the International Security Co-operation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Earlier this month, Slovakia offered free tests to its entire adult population, in an effort to stem the spread of the virus following an alarming rise in cases in late October.

Cases among Slovakia's 5.4 million people have been on the decline since hitting a high of 3,363 on October 30. On Tuesday, it reported 1,021 confirmed infections.

Updated: November 25, 2020, 8:02 AM