Home | First lady | Activities of Silvia Gašparovičová | Year 2010 | Slovak countrymen in the Presidential Palace
President of Slovakia along with his wife welcomed on 29th November 2010 in the Presidential Palace participants of the Standing Conference of the Slovak Republic and the Slovaks living abroad. Conference delegates are representatives of expatriate associations, organizations, churches, Catholic missions from 22 countries worldwide.
President of the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad Vilma Prívarová thanked the head of state and the First Lady for their adoption and "for the respect that you showed our compatriots community by welcoming the most important personalities of Slovaks abroad, here on the soil of the Presidential Palace. Our thanks goes to you, Mr. President, also for the fact you permanently dedicate enduring attention of our compatriots around the world."
Ivan Gašparovič expressed his pleasure of meeting with expatriates who retain their language, culture and do everything possible not to lose connection with Slovakia. He appreciated the positive representation of compatriots of Slovakia, because "the world is now knowing Slovaks. It is no longer – czech (čeko) – even though we have split with the Czech Republic we have the best relationship," he said. He stressed that during his trips abroad, on all continents he always finds a good, well-disposed relationship of compatriots to Slovakia, as well as respect for the new country which adopted them. "We would like to have such a minority too, that will respect Slovakia for that they can together with us create better conditions for a better life in our country," said the President of Slovakia. He also thanked the countrymen for their good will to help Slovakia with their professional cultural and economic potential, the head of state is not considering as unused.
Also the First Lady of Slovakia is always looking forward to meetings with compatriots. "It’s always a great experience for me when I meet you. Joy and warmth is mutual. Quite often I meet with compatriots in Hungary. Annually I support the event Slovak Housewife in Hungary," said at the meeting Silvia Gašparovičová.
World Association of Slovaks Living Abroad was established in July 2002 in Bratislava at the permanent conference „Slovak Republic and the Slovaks Living Abroad". It acts as an organization of Slovaks living and working around the world and creates for Slovaks living abroad preconditions for effective cooperation and mutual communication. The organization promotes the common interests of Slovaks living abroad, despite the different historic, political or religious preferences of its member entities, and regardless of when they left Slovakia and which side of the world they have been gone. Members are Slovak associations from abroad, but also personalities of the Slovak community, who use their words to the benefit of Slovakia also outside of countrymen organizations. |
Site map
Back to top
Printer friendly version