President Pellegrini to Host Global Leaders in 2026

Bratislava, 11 February (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini will hold further significant meetings with global leaders this year, the President's Office informed TASR on Wednesday. Foreign meetings and international events will confirm Slovakia's active role in foreign policy and its commitment to cooperation and maintaining stability at home and in the wider region, the office stated. In February, the president will receive US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Presidential Palace. The following month, he'll welcome Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and in April he'll meet representatives of the Order of Malta. The office also announced that Slovakia will host a meeting of the presidents of the Austerlitz format (S3: Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) in May. The second half of the year will bring a summit of the Visegrad Four (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) presidents in Trencin, a European Capital of Culture 2026. "At this year's forum, Slovakia, along with Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, has the opportunity to align its positions and strengthen central Europe's standing in the EU," said the office. Pellegrini will also continue to receive ambassadors of EU-member states, Slovak MEPs and representatives of the presidencies of the Council of the EU. As commander-in-chief of the Slovak armed forces, he's expected to attend the Armed Forces Command Assembly in the second half of 2026. Several leaders from the Western Balkans, neighbouring countries and Central Asia are also expected to visit. "In April, the president will receive the president of Turkmenistan, in May the presidents of Austria and Albania. During the summer he'll also welcome the heads of state of North Macedonia and Montenegro," the office added, noting that the aim of these meetings will be to bolster good relations, develop cooperation and support stability. mf/df