Slovakia on November 11 opened a liaison office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, which was opened by Slovak honorary consul for Palestine (based in Bethlehem) George Jabra – standing in for Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, who cancelled his own visit.
Lajčák who has been on a visit to Israel and the West Bank since the previous day, said he had to cancel his attendance at the ceremonial opening due to numerous protests taking place at security checkpoints near Ramallah. Lajčák was also scheduled to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
“I explained my decision that was influenced by the adverse security situation in the area of Ramallah to the prime minister in a telephone conversation,” said Lajčák, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
Lajčák added that the liaison office will significantly contribute to the development of Slovak-Palestinian political and economic relations. Slovakia will share part of the premises with the Czech Republic.
“Slovakia supports the building and strengthening of a Palestinian statehood,” Slovak minister said. “We believe that the peace talks make sense and can lead to a two-state solution that will be acceptable to both sides.”
Lajčák later that day left for Jordan where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at a security colloquium in Amman organised under the auspices of the Jordanian Royal Court and the government.
(Source: TASR)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
