The Office of the President of the Slovak Republic Becomes the 13th Signatory of the Memorandum on Cooperation with QUTE.sk

_ 30/10/2025_ Diana Cencer Garafová

On October 28, 2025, the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic has become the 13th signatory of the Memorandum on Cooperation in the Development of Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Slovakia. The Memorandum is a joint initiative of the Slovak National Centre for Quantum Technologies – QUTE.sk and twelve other academic institutions. Its objective is to support the development and implementation of quantum-secured communication – a revolutionary technology that provides the highest possible level of data and information protection during transmission and storage.

The security of quantum communication is based on the fundamental principles of quantum physics, particularly the principle of uncertainty. Therefore, there exists no practical or even hypothetical method by which such communication could be compromised.

Quantum technologies are regarded as the next major milestone in scientific and technological progress, comparable to the emergence of artificial intelligence. They are expected to bring new societal and industrial transformations that we cannot yet fully predict. However, it is already known that quantum computers will be capable of breaking currently used cryptographic systems. Hence, it is essential to prepare for their arrival by introducing new and more secure cryptographic standards.

The idea of directly involving the Presidential Palace in the development of a metropolitan quantum network originated during the President’s visit in March this year to the laboratories of the Research Center for Quantum Information (RCQI) at the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IP SAS). The Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure (skQCI) forms part of the pan-European EuroQCI initiative, through which the European Commission supports the creation of the backbone of the future quantum internet.

President of the Slovak Republic **Peter Pellegrini**, together with **Peter Vodráška**, during a visit to the **QUTE pavilion at the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences**, where they were introduced to the **Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure project**.

For more than two years, a consortium of partners led by the Institute of Physics of the SAS has been working on connecting various parts of Slovakia with quantum links, while preparations for interconnections with neighbouring EU member states are underway. The projects will continue for another three years, and by the end of 2028, Europe is expected to be interconnected through a network of quantum nodes. The Presidential Palace could thus become a leader not only among Slovak but also European state institutions in introducing quantum technologies into practice.

On October 28, 2025, the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic became the thirteenth signatory of the Memorandum on Cooperation in the Development of Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Slovakia. This initiative, led by the National Centre for Quantum Technologies – QUTE.sk, strengthens the collaboration between the scientific and public sectors in building the secure quantum communication networks of the future. — From left to right: **Assoc. Prof. Mário Ziman, PhD** – Chair of the Executive Board of QUTE.sk and director of IP SAS, **MSc. Djeylan Aktas, PhD** – Head of the skQCI Project, **RNDr. Pavol Surovec** – Executive Secretary of QUTE.sk, **Prof. Vladimír Bužek, DrSc.** – world-renowned theoretical physicist and expert in quantum information, and **JUDr. Peter Vodráška, LL.M.** – Head of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, during a discussion prior to the signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation in the Development of Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Slovakia.

A distinctive feature of the Slovak approach is that building quantum infrastructure goes hand in hand with advancing domestic research and engineering expertise. Slovakia not only deploys commercially available solutions but also invests in the development of its own components and technologies, referred to as second-generation quantum technologies. While the first generation focuses on quantum-secured key distribution, the second generation will enable the transfer of quantum information between quantum computers. The project also includes systematic education and training of specialists, who will be essential for constructing, maintaining, and developing future quantum networks.

The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum was attended by representatives of the Slovak National Centre for Quantum Technologies QUTE.sk, led by Assoc. Prof. Mário Ziman, PhD., Chair of the QUTE.sk Executive Committee, and representatives of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, led by JUDr. Peter Vodráška, LL.M., Head of the Office. The signing of the Memorandum, held in the premises of the Presidential Palace, represents an important first step toward Slovakia’s joint commitment to advancing new security standards and integrating quantum technologies into public services.