MFA: Slovakia Transported 224 People from Middle East in Three Days

Bratislava, 20 June (TASR) - Slovakia transported a total of 224 people from the Middle East between 16-18 June, including Slovaks and citizens of 24 other countries, the Foreign Ministry's communications department told TASR on Friday, adding that the evacuation was carried out by eight flights of a government aircraft and special flights of a military aircraft between Bratislava, the Jordanian cities of Aqaba and Amman and also Larnaca in Cyprus. "In cooperation with the Defence and Interior Ministries, the Foreign Ministry managed one of the most challenging evacuation operations, which we launched immediately after the escalation of tensions in the region," said Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), adding that among those evacuated were diplomats, employees of international organisations and embassies, tourists, journalists and families with small children. The ministry noted that in addition to the evacuation of 69 of its own citizens, Slovakia provided free capacity on board Slovak aircraft to 155 nationals of other countries. am/mcs