Year 2005

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President of the Slovak Republic visits Israel

March 17, 2005

The President of the SR, Ivan Gašparovič undertook a working visit to Israel from 15 - 16 March 2005, during which he attended the ceremonial opening of the new museum at the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. The ceremony was attended by heads of state and high-ranking political representatives from around 40 countries. Part of the program was a special assembly at Yad Vashem, which was addressed by the heads of individual delegations. In his address, the President of the Slovak Republic expressed how deeply he was moved by the cruel fate of defenceless people and by the solidarity and unity that saved the lives of many. In his address, he stated that the holocaust is the blackest stain on the history of mankind, which it is necessary to condemn rather than discuss. This is the right place for an expression of gratitude to the “righteous among the nations” – the people who placed giving help and humanity ahead of their own safety and security and did not hesitate to risk their lives, despite the risks to their families. Ivan Gašparovič is proud of the fact that many of the engraved names in the museum’s Hall of Names are Slovaks. He considers it proof of the fact that in Slovakia humanity and solidarity are dearly held values, which are deeply rooted in generations of Slovaks. The President of the SR greatly values the fact that the Jewish nation felt the need to express its thanks and pay a tribute to those who stood by their side and assisted them.

President Ivan Gašparovič’s program also included a bilateral meeting with the President of the State of Israel, Moshe Katsav, who emphasised the historic significance of this visit to Israel. According to the Israeli president, young people ought to know more about the holocaust, and Ivan Gašparovič expressed his agreement. The President of the SR stated that he was pleased that, today, Slovakia no longer faces expressions of Nazism and anti-Semitism. He informed his counterpart that issues connected with the restitution of Jewish property and compensation to victims of the holocaust had been successfully resolved in the Slovak Republic. The presidents addressed the situation in the Middle East during their discussions. The presidents were both of the opinion that the situation in this region was developing favourably and according to the Israeli president if terrorist attacks end, the chances for peace are very good. M. Katsav emphasised that his government gave its full backing to the implementation of the road map. The President of the SR also expressed his conviction that Palestine and Israel would reach agreement and stated that the Slovak Republic, as a member of the European Union and NATO, is prepared to give its assistance to the peace process in the Middle East. In their discussions, Ivan Gašparovič also called on his counterpart to establish an Israeli consulate in Slovakia at the earliest opportunity.

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