President Hands over Credentials to Five New Slovak Ambassadors

Bratislava, February 10 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini handed over credentials to new five Slovak ambassadors at the Presidential Palace on Monday, with Valer Franko (Lebanon), Tomas Kozak (Belgium and Luxembourg), Peter Bak (Slovenia), Milan Zachar (Argentina) and Zdenek Rozhold (Cuba) all in attendance. "Political developments around the world require an active and assertive approach in the area of diplomacy. You must do your maximum to make sure that our country's voice is heard," said the president. According to him, it's essential in today's world to clearly emphasise the role of effective multilateralism in achieving peace and to pursue diplomacy in a way that will prevent the emergence of new conflicts and wars. The head of state expects the new ambassadors to promote Slovakia's economic and political interests. Franko has worked at embassies in Tehran, Baghdad, Abu Dhabi and Cairo. Kozak is leaving for his second ambassadorial post, having previously served as Slovakia's representative to the EU's Political and Security Committee. Bak will take up his first ambassadorial post, after serving as the deputy ambassador in Ljubljana. Zachar is transitioning from his role as ambassador in Havana, where he will be replaced by Rozhold. lin/df