President: Slovakia Should Have Own Pavilion at Upcoming EXPO Expositions

Osaka, 10 September (TASR-correspondent) - President Peter Pellegrini visited the Slovak stand at the EXPO 2025 world exposition in Osaka, Japan as part of the Slovak National Day on Wednesday. Despite the difficult economic situation, it will be important to devote more attention to preparing for upcoming expositions, which will take place in Belgrade and Riyadh, stressed the president, adding that Slovakia might return to the idea of ​​its own pavilion in the future, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. Contrary to the previous EXPO in Dubai, Slovakia doesn't have its own pavilion in Osaka. Its stand is located in a joint pavilion shared with countries such as Israel, Panama, Ukraine, Slovenia and Uruguay. "I personally think that we in Slovakia must realise that we are a small country, an open economy, and we must invest money in our PR, in our presentation, we must think big, we mustn't always be under the impression that we can do it all modestly, for a few euros," stated Pellegrini. "We mustn't save money in the future. Slovakia is a beautiful, wonderful country that hasn't yet managed to utilise its great potential, and the country's reputation is partly being built up through top-notch foreign representation," said the president, stressing that these procedures must be transparent, however. The head of state said that the Slovak exhibition, despite covering a small area, is dignified and able to present the country in an engaging way that will show people the beauty of Slovak nature and culture, which could be attractive to tourists. "But I reiterate, I would like us to think big in the future and do it in a more grand fashion," stressed Pellegrini, who would like to see Slovak innovations and start-ups in Slovak pavilions in order to present the country's modernity in a better way. The president thinks that the key area that Slovakia could focus on is potable water, as Slovakia has huge reserves of this. "Slovakia should invest in large water resources, and we should focus on protecting the cleanest water in the region. That could be our domain - its sustainability and treatment," said Pellegrini. ko/df