Inauguration of the Honorary Consulate of Cyprus in Banská Bystrica in central Slovakia
The Ambassador of Cyprus to Slovakia, Mr Michalis Karagiorgis and the Honorary Consul Mr Stefan Rosina inaugurated on 9 November 2023, the Honorary Consulate of Cyprus in the city of Banská Bystrica in central Slovakia.
The Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, Mr Peter Pellegrini, the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Information, Mr Richard Raši, the Governor of the Region of Banská Bystrica, Mr Ondrej Lunter, the Mayor of the city, Mr Ján Nosko, the Director-General for European Affairs, Mr Tomáš Kozák, as well as representatives of the local academic and business community attended the ceremony. Guests of honour at the ceremory, were the former President of Slovakia, Mr Ivan Gašparovič and the former Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr Ján Kubiš. The ceremony was also attended by the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Limassol, Mr Angelos Gregoriades and the President of the Cyprus Hydrogen Association, Mr Makis Ketonis.
In his address, the President of the Slovak Parliament welcomed the decision of the Republic of Cyprus to establish an Honorary Consulate in the city of Banská Bystrica. I am certain, he said, that the new Honorary Consul of Cyprus will contribute substantially to the further development of the already excellent relations between the two countries.
The former President of Slovakia, Mr Gašparovič in his address referred to the close friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. Referring to the Cyprus question, he underlined his personal pain regarding the ongoing division of Cyprus, and wished for the reunification of the country the soonest possible. In his address, Ambassador Karagiorgis underlined that the decision to establish an Honorary Consulate in the historic city of Banska Bystrica, is a concrete proof of Cyprus’ will to work for the further strengthening of the already excellent bilateral relations between Slovakia and Cyprus. Our wish is for this Consulate to contribute actively in promoting closer ties, especially in the region of central and eastern Slovakia, in areas such as tourism, business, education and culture, he added. In conclusion, Ambassador Karagiorgis thanked the Slovak officials for their presence and for the multifaceted support of their country in Cyprus’ struggle for reunification, citing as an example the long-standing participation of the Slovak contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.------------------ Saturday, 25 November 2023