“Your visit to Slovakia is yet another proof of our excellent bilateral relations. I believe that Slovak citizens also agree with me. I highly appreciate that you have accepted, on behalf of the Imperial House, my invitation to visit my homeland to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Slovak Republic and Japan,” President Gašparovič said during the talks with Prince and Princess Akishino.

The Slovak head of state also mentioned his visit to Japan in June 2012, the first ever official visit of a Slovak president to Japan and a significant opportunity to reinforce the bilateral relations between Japan and Slovakia. President Ivan Gašparovič kindly requested Their Imperial Majesties to convey the wishes of the best of luck in their personal life and discharge of their challenging responsibilities to the Japanese Imperial couple.

“Even today, my most sincere support, admiration and thoughts go to the people of the Tohoku region who were so severely hit by the natural forces in March 2011. I have been told that people in the Tohoku region over the past two years remarkably coped with, and overcame the consequences of the natural catastrophe, that many areas again flourish with beauty and life and that in some towns, the traces of the disaster are no longer visible,” the Slovak President said.

“It is a great pleasure for me that Prince and Princess Akishino could pay a visit to the Slovak Republic to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Slovakia. I wish to convey the greetings from Emperor Akihito to you,” Prince Akishino told the Slovak President.

The Japanese Imperial guest appreciated that the first steps of the Slovak President during his official visit to Japan last year led to the municipalities in the Tohoku region badly struck by the tsunami.

During the talks with the Japanese Prince and Princess, President Ivan Gašparovič also said that people in Slovakia regard Japan as a modern country with an affluent history and unique culture. It is remarkable how the Japanese people succeeded in building modern and thriving society that can be an inspiration for the whole world in many aspects, he added.

The President and Their Imperial Majesties also discussed the history of Slovakia and its language, and Japanese culture and art. President Ivan Gašparovič appreciated that members of the Japanese Imperial Family supported and encouraged scientific development in their country. My special words of appreciation go to the Imperial Family for the fondness and affection they have been showing us since the establishment of the Slovak Republic, the Slovak President said. He added he would be particularly honoured if he could again have an opportunity to meet His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito and to confirm the traditional friendly relationships between the two countries and their peoples.

The official programme of the distinguished foreign visitors also included a gala event featuring, among others, the Lúčnica ensemble, a Slovak folklore song and dance company very popular in Japan. In his speech at the gala event, Prince Akishino observed that despite the great geographical distance between them, the people of Japan and Slovakia had a lot in common and, as far as national customs and traditions are concerned, this is especially true for dance and music of which Japanese are very fond. In addition, Prince Akishino said he was glad to have the chance to savour firsthand the splendid natural scenery of the High Tatras and to enjoy the natural and cultural heritage Slovakia has to offer.

As part of their official programme, Their Imperial Majesties also visited the Devín Castle and the Gate of Freedom, a monument commemorating the victims of the Communist totalitarian regime, the Botanic Garden of the Tatra National Park in Tatranská Lomnica, the Matej Hrebenda Slovak Library for the Blind in Levoča, as well as the Spiš Castle.