Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom with her consort Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to pay official visit to the Slovak Republic on the 23rd and 24th October 2008

The state visit to the Slovak Republic of the British Queen Elizabeth II and her consort Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is held at the official invitation of the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič (extended in 2005). During the visit they are to be accompanied by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Miliband.

This is the first visit paid by the Queen of the United Kingdom to Slovakia and is primarily focused on the partnership between Slovakia and the United Kingdom, social inclusion and the protection of the environment. The visit of her Majesty will be a confirmation of strong and lasting relations between Slovakia and the United Kingdom as well as the confirmation of a mutual interest in the further deepening of a dialogue on partnership at all levels, along with the development of mutual cooperation in trade and investment, tourism, culture, education and science.

During the first day of their visit to the Slovak Republic (23rd October 2008), Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will meet with Slovakia’s three top officials – President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič, Speaker of the National Council Pavol Paška and Prime Minister Robert Fico. After a private discussion with the President and his wife in the Presidential Palace, the Royal couple will move to the courtyard of the Old City Hall where they will be greeted by the Mayor of Bratislava Andrej Ďurkovský.

Sightseeing in the historical centre of Bratislava will be followed by an official reception hosted by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Slovak Republic Michael Roberts. Later, Queen Elizabeth II will attend a short lunch with the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Pavol Paška and the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The highlight of the first day will be the official dinner hosted by the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and his wife Silvia Gašparovičová, in honour of the Royal couple.

On Friday (24th October 2008), the Queen and her consort will leave for Eastern Slovakia. The Royal couple will pay a visit to the city of Vysoké Tatry in the region of Starý Smokovec and the tourist centre of Hrebienok. The visit will further continue in Poprad and Spišská Sobota cultural reserve where the couple will see the Church of St. George with the historical altar of Master Paul. Within the individual programme, the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a discussion on climate change organised by the British Council Slovakia.

The visit will end with the appearance of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the ice-stadium in Poprad, where the Queen, with a symbolic faceoff, will open a friendly ice-hockey match between the team of Poprad and the British team of Gilford.

Marek Trubač
Press Secretary of the President of the Slovak Republic