Beatrice Szaboova to Head Slovak Consulate General in New York

Bratislava, 17 July (TASR) - The Slovak Consulate General in New York will be headed by Beatrice Szaboova, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department has informed TASR. Szaboova has headed communications departments at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Environment Ministry. She served as a spokesperson for a premier and a Bratislava mayor in the past. In addition, she represented Slovakia in the post of consul during her mission in Spain. "Slovak-American trade reaches almost €6 billion per year. In cooperation with our embassy in Washington, the Consulate General actively presents Slovakia as a favourable investment and trade destination within the single European market. At the same time, it helps Slovak exporters to present their products and innovative technologies on the US market," said Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). According to him, the USA is Slovakia's ninth biggest export market, and US companies employ some 45,000 people in Slovakia. According to the ministry, Szaboova wants to support Slovak companies and attract new investments to the country. She also intends to establish new contacts in the field of culture. "Our priority goal is to provide high-quality services, assistance and protection to Slovak citizens traveling, studying or working in the USA. We'll also continue to organise away-from-home consular days and cooperate with Slovak compatriots who have extraordinary potential for Slovakia in the field of economic diplomacy and sharing contacts," said Szaboova. Twenty-three of the 50 US states come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General. ko/df