President: Guard of Honour Represents Slovakia Both at Home and Abroad

Bratislava, 8 October (TASR) - The Guard of Honour of the Slovak President is an elite unit of the Slovak Armed Forces, which represents Slovakia at home and abroad through its professional service and is an integral part of the President's Office, President Peter Pellegrini said during a military ceremony held in the representative rooms of Bratislava Castle on Thursday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Guard of Honour. The head of state stressed that members of the Guard of Honour play a professional and reliable role in ensuring the safe operation of the President's Office, while also representing Slovakia with dignity through their service. He also acknowledged the importance of the Guard of Honour's ceremonial and protocolar duties. "They embody tradition, dignity and respect for our statehood," he said. Pellegrini also pointed out that, beyond their regular duties, members of the Guard of Honour uphold one of their core values - helping others. "You have lent a helping hand to citizens in emergency and crisis situations, whether during the coronavirus pandemic or the influx of refugees following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. You help deal with the aftermath of natural disasters," stated the Slovak president. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Guard of Honour, the president thanked all its past and present members. The presentation of awards to members of the Guard of Honour was also a part of Thursday's ceremony. The president congratulated the members on their extraordinary promotions and conferred ranks, as well as all those who received medals, commemorative plaques and commemorative coins. He also awarded the Slovak President's Medal of Appreciation to the entire unit of the Guard of Honour of President of the Slovak Republic. ko