PRIOR to leaving the presidential office on June 15, former president Ivan Gašparovič invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), to take place in late August in Slovakia.
The President’s Office confirmed for the Sme daily that Putin has been invited to Banská Bystrica for the celebrations. The invitation was sent under the tenure of Ivan Gašparovič, but it was after current President Andrej Kiska was elected to office. Kiska had not been informed of the invitation, the Sme daily reported.
It is, however, not clear whether Putin will actually visit Slovakia. The Foreign Ministry does not have any information that would confirm the participation of either Putin or another representative of Russia, Sme wrote. The ministry pointed out that Putin also attended the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of disembarking in Normandy.
Information from diplomatic circles suggest that Russia will be represented by Dmitrij Medvedev rather than Putin, Sme reported.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
