2024-09-11 02:40:11
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will receive the President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday for an official visit to Austria. The 48-year-old Social Democrat and former head of government has been in office since mid-June. Pellegrini is considered an ally of the left-wing nationalist head of government Robert Fico, who was critically injured in a shooting attack in May.
Slovakia is highly polarized. The mood is very heated between supporters of the government’s course and the liberal opposition parties, who accuse the government of autocratic tendencies. Pellegrini, for his part, signed a much-criticized law in July that formally dissolved the previous public broadcasting service and replaced it with a new state medium. Recently there have been protests against the nationalist culture minister. Martina Šimkovičová wants to promote exclusively “national Slovak culture” with controversial personnel decisions and her policies. A strike by cultural workers is threatened.
Van der Bellen and Pellegrini want to talk about good neighborly relations, the presidential office announced in advance. The two heads of state are also expected to discuss close economic ties and the expansion of transport infrastructure. International topics such as support for the Western Balkans and the crisis areas in the Middle East and Ukraine are also on the agenda. A joint press conference is planned.
In his inaugural speech, Pellegrini stressed that many people in Slovakia were unsettled by the war in Ukraine. The neighboring country must be helped to achieve a just peace. After taking office, the government in Bratislava stopped state arms deliveries to Ukraine. Slovakia had previously been one of the biggest supporters of the country attacked by Russia.
Van der Bellen had maintained close contact with Pellegrini’s predecessor, Zuzana Čaputová. At a farewell meeting at the end of May, Van der Bellen expressed confidence that his relationship with Pellegrini would be as good as that with the green-liberal ex-president. The relationship between the two countries was “too close” to be at risk, the Federal President had declared.
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Austrian President Van der Bellen to Host Slovakian President Pellegrini for Official Visit
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will receive the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, for an official visit to Austria. This meeting marks Pellegrini’s first official visit to Austria since taking office in mid-June 2024 [[1]].
Pellegrini, a 48-year-old Social Democrat and former head of government, is considered an ally of the left-wing nationalist head of government Robert Fico, who was critically injured in a shooting attack in May [[2]].
The Slovak Republic is currently experiencing a highly polarized political climate, with tensions running high between supporters of the government’s course and the liberal opposition parties, who accuse the government of autocratic tendencies. Pellegrini has faced criticism for signing a law in July that dissolved the previous public broadcasting service and replaced it with a new state medium. Additionally, protests have been held against the nationalist culture minister, Martina Šimkovičová, who aims to promote exclusively ”national Slovak culture” with controversial personnel decisions and policies, which has led to threats of a strike from cultural workers.
During their meeting, Presidents Van der Bellen and Pellegrini are expected to discuss good neighborly relations, close economic ties, and the expansion of transport infrastructure between Austria and Slovakia. They will also address international topics such as support for the Western Balkans and the crisis areas in the Middle East and Ukraine <a href="https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS20240905OTS0104/aviso-offizieller-besuch-des-slowakischen-praesidenten-pellegrini-bei-bundespraesident-van-der-bellen”>[[3]].
In his inaugural speech, Pellegrini emphasized the need to support Ukraine in achieving a just peace, as many people in Slovakia have been unsettled by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The official visit and upcoming meeting between the two presidents are significant steps in strengthening the bilateral relations between Austria and Slovakia. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference, where both presidents will address the press and the public.
the visit of President Pellegrini to Austria marks an important moment in the diplomatic relations between the two countries and is expected to have a positive impact on their bilateral cooperation and regional stability.
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Austrian President Van der Bellen to Host Slovakian President Pellegrini for Official Visit
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will receive the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, for an official visit to Austria. This meeting marks Pellegrini’s first official visit to Austria since taking office in mid-June 2024 [[1]].
Pellegrini, a 48-year-old Social Democrat and former head of government, is considered an ally of the left-wing nationalist head of government Robert Fico, who was critically injured in a shooting attack in May [[2]]. The Slovak Republic is currently experiencing a highly polarized political climate, with tensions running high between supporters of the government’s course and the liberal opposition parties, who accuse the government of autocratic tendencies.
Pellegrini has faced criticism for signing a law in July that dissolved the previous public broadcasting service and replaced it with a new state medium. Additionally, protests have been held against the nationalist culture minister, Martina Šimkovičová, who aims to promote exclusively “national Slovak culture” with controversial personnel decisions and policies, which has led to threats of a strike from cultural workers.
During their meeting, Presidents Van der Bellen and Pellegrini are expected to discuss good neighborly relations, close economic ties, and the expansion of transport infrastructure between Austria and Slovakia. They will also address international topics such as support for the Western Balkans and the crisis areas in the Middle East and Ukraine [[3]].
In his inaugural speech, Pellegrini stressed the need to support Ukraine in achieving a just peace, as many people in Slovakia have been unsettled by the ongoing war in Ukraine. After taking office, the government in Bratislava stopped state arms deliveries to Ukraine. Slovakia had previously been one of the biggest supporters of the country attacked by Russia.
Van der Bellen had maintained close contact with Pellegrini’s predecessor, Zuzana Čaputová. At a farewell meeting at the end of May, Van der Bellen expressed confidence that his relationship with Pellegrini would be as good as that with the green-liberal ex-president. The relationship between the two countries was “too close” to be at risk, the Federal President had declared.
The official visit and upcoming meeting between the two presidents are significant steps in strengthening the bilateral relations between Austria and Slovakia. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference, where the two leaders are expected to address the media and