Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Meets Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič

Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič received Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Quentin Bryce on 6 June 2013 in Bratislava.

Slovakia is interested in reinforcing investment activities and enhancing participation of Australian companies in an investment process in Slovakia, in particular in knowledge-based economy, new technologies for renewable energy sources, research and development, nanotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, the Slovak President said at the meeting. The tourism industry also offers good prospects for cooperation. “I am very glad that our businesspeople will hold talks with businesspeople accompanying Madam Governor,” Ivan Gašparovič noted.

The talks with the Australian Governor-General also focused on cooperation within international institutions. The two top officials further discussed the issues related to global problems affecting future developments in the world, especially in the context of bilateral support for their countries’ activities within global international organisations. They also talked about the Roma issue and civil rights.

The Australian Governor-General thanked for the cordial welcome and hospitality which she and her delegation enjoyed in Slovakia. She recalled that her visit was taking place in the year “which is so significant for the Slovak Republic - that is, in the year when it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its existence as a sovereign country.” In this context, she congratulated Slovak citizens “on a remarkable success with which the Slovak Republic mastered these 20 years of transition to a market economy.”

Governor Quentin Bryce appreciated the Slovak community in Australia which had preserved its language, culture and traditions, and acknowledged the courage and services of Slovak and Australian troops in deployed in Afghanistan.