President to Pay Working Visit to Italy, Open Honorary Consulate in Bari

Bratislava, 4 June (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini will leave for a working visit to Italy on Thursday afternoon, TASR has learnt from the President Office's communications department. The president will hold talks with representatives of the city of Bari and the region of Puglia, open a new Slovak honorary consulate and support the development of relations between Slovak and Italian partners. The president's delegation will also include representatives of Slovak universities, the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the city of Liptovsky Mikulas (Zilina region) and Slovak companies. "A significant point on the agenda will be the signing of memorandums of cooperation between Slovak and Italian partners at the Bari City Hall. The documents will concern the development of cooperation in the areas of local government, education, economy and transport," said the office. The declaration of intent on cooperation between the cities of Bari and Liptovsky Mikulas builds on their shared cultural and spiritual heritage associated with the personality of Saint Nicholas and provides a foundation for the preparation of a future memorandum of understanding. The two cities have also expressed their intention to develop future cooperation, particularly in the organisation of joint events, the exchange of experience in receiving visitors, cooperation between schools, and the implementation of joint European projects. Memoranda between eight Slovak universities and three universities based in Bari will create a framework for the development of academic and scientific cooperation, including exchange programmes, joint research projects, and the future awarding of dual degrees. In addition, representatives of the universities will hold direct negotiations at the University of Bari. "The Slovak president will also be awarded the Silver Seal of the Aldo Mora University in Bari as a sign of recognition of his contribution and confirmation of developing academic cooperation at the European level," added the President's Office. Pellegrini will also participate in the opening ceremony of the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bari. Salvatore Chionno has been serving as Slovakia's honorary consul for the region of Puglia since 2024. "The new consulate will serve as a diplomatic, economic and cultural bridge between Slovakia and one of the most dynamically developing regions of southern Italy. At the same time, it will also provide assistance to Slovak citizens and create opportunities for the development of new partnerships in the fields of innovation, business, education and tourism," said the President's Office. ko