Representatives of the Japanese royal family, Prince and Princess Akishino, arrived for the official four-day visit to Slovakia. Their visit, based on the invitation of Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič, takes place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, the TASR newswire reported.
The couple arrived on June 23. During this first day they visited Devín Castle and the Gate of Freedom, a memorial to the victims of the previous regime. They were accompanied by Bratislava mayor Milan Ftáčnik and Devín mayor Ľubica Kolková.
On June 24 the couple will visit President Gašparovič, Prime Minister Robert Fico and deputy speaker of parliament Jana Laššáková. Together with Ftáčnik they will visit the Old Town and attend a performance by the Lúčnica folklore ensemble, TASR wrote.
During the last day of their visit the couple will visit eastern Slovakia, including the Botanical Garden of the Tatra National Park in Tatranská Lomnica, the Slovak Library of Matej Hrebenda for Blind People in Levoča and Spiš Castle.
“The visit is the confirmation of friendly relations which exist between our countries and contributes to the deepening of understanding and rapprochement between Slovakia and Japan, mutual inspiration and spiritual enrichment,” said spokesperson for the president Marek Trubač, as quoted by TASR.
Trubač added that Slovakia considers Japan to be a partner with similar attitudes, as well as one of the most important countries in Asia.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
