Blanar: Holy See Remains One of Slovakia's Closest Partners

Bratislava, 30 January (TASR) - The Holy See remains one of Slovakia's closest partners in both diplomatic and spiritual matters, Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated following the talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See. Archbishop Gallagher visited Slovakia on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the basic treaty between Slovakia and the Holy See. "This anniversary reminds us of the deep relationships firmly rooted in the thousand-year history and Christian tradition of Slovakia, which dates back to the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Their spiritual legacy continues to play a key role in shaping our culture, values, identity, and overall social development of the country. It is also a solid foundation for our relations with the Holy See," said the minister. According to him, the meeting confirmed the continuity of rich bilateral dialogue based on common goals such as promoting mutual respect and peaceful dispute resolution, humanitarian aid, and protecting the most vulnerable groups. "These are the principles on which peace, solidarity, tolerance, respect for human rights, and multilateralism are based, which remain relevant today and determine the direction of our social efforts," added the minister. During the discussion, they paid special attention to religious freedom and various forms of hatred. "We emphasised the importance of dialogue, education, and mutual understanding," noted Blanar. He informed the archbishop about Slovakia's foreign policy priorities, and they also discussed current global challenges. "In the context of the deteriorating security situation in Europe and around the world, we stressed the need for strict compliance with international law, protection of human rights, and support for diplomatic solutions," he noted. am