The following is attributable to Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:

On Wednesday, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green met with Slovak Republic Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák to sign two memorandums of understanding (MOU) to strengthen local governance in Moldova and explore future strategic opportunities for collaboration. Through the two MOUs, the Slovak Republic will contribute $300,000 to a USAID project designed to boost the quality of services provided by local government representatives to Moldovan citizens. The MOUs will also formalize the development partnership between USAID and the Slovak Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the Administrator reflected upon Slovakia's impressive development journey. He noted that the nation had transformed in a very short time, from a recipient of USAID's assistance in 1990 to an international donor in its own right, helping other nations to rise. He discussed the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Slovak Republic based on shared interests and values. The Administrator and the Foreign Minister affirmed their mutual commitment to counter Kremlin influence and support the countries of Europe and Eurasia on their paths towards Transatlantic integration. They also discussed how they could expand upon this first joint project and pursue economic growth and democratic reform initiatives in the region, leveraging Slovakia's invaluable experience from its own journey to self-reliance.

The Administrator thanked Slovakia for its continued partnership and expressed his hope that these MOUs marked a first step in a fruitful long-term collaboration.