Blanar: Slovak Community Helps to Promote Slovakia in Iceland

Reykjavik/Bratislava, 3 June (TASR) - The Slovak community in Iceland plays an important role in promoting the good name of Slovakia and preserving the Slovak language, culture and traditions abroad, said Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar during his visit to Iceland, where he met representatives of the Slovak expatriate community and Bishop of Reykjavik Diocese David Tencer, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on Wednesday. "I greatly appreciate the active Slovak community in Iceland, which maintains its ties to the Slovak language, culture and traditions even far from home. I also value the work of Bishop David Tencer, who's been serving in Iceland for more than two decades, spreading Slovakia's good name through his ministry while helping Slovaks who work, live or operate on this island," said Blanar. During the meeting, Tencer outlined the significance of St. Thorlak's Church in the town of Reydarfjordur on Iceland's east coast. The wooden church, manufactured in Hrinova, was transported to Iceland in 2017 and assembled with the assistance of volunteers from Slovakia and the local community. The building is a gift from the Slovak Catholic Church to Icelandic worshippers and is among the most visible symbols of Slovak-Icelandic relations. According to the minister, around 600 Slovak citizens live in Iceland, with the number increasing during the summer months due to seasonal work. The head of Slovak diplomacy also praised the work of Slovakia's honorary consul in Iceland, Runolfur Oddsson. "The activities of Honorary Consul Oddsson have long helped to build Slovakia's good name abroad, not only in Iceland. Thanks in part to his work, strong ties have been established between our countries and we can develop cooperation in areas that deliver tangible results for citizens of both Slovakia and Iceland," said the minister. Blanar has been visiting Iceland since Tuesday. He's met Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorhgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir and representatives of the Icelandic Parliament. The talks focused on developing bilateral cooperation in energy, health care, security and new technologies, as well as current international issues. mf/df