Slovak and Czech Parliament Heads to Present Mutual Relations Awards

Martin/Bratislava, 27 October (TASR) – The heads of the Slovak and Czech Parliaments, Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) and Tomio Okamura, respectively, will present the Slovak-Czech Mutual Relations Awards in the town of Martin on 30 October, TASR learnt from the Parliament's Office press department on Tuesday. The awards aim to honour Slovak and Czech figures who have contributed to the development of relations between the two nations through their lives, work and public activities. The Slovak-Czech Mutual Relations Award was established to commemorate and recognise individuals who have helped build, maintain and develop the exceptional relationship between the two nations. Its message is intended to emphasise that friendship between Slovaks and Czechs remains a living value more than three decades after the establishment of their two independent states, and that its future depends on concrete actions and mutual cooperation. "Czechs and Slovaks share a common history, but our friendship cannot rest on memories alone. We must develop it through specific actions, mutual respect and a willingness to cooperate. That is precisely why we want to honour figures who not only commemorate Slovak-Czech mutual relations but genuinely help shape them through their lives and work," Rasi claimed. The joint award initiative took concrete form on 16 June during an official visit by the Slovak House chair to Prague, where the two speakers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Slovak-Czech Mutual Relations Award. The award is to be presented annually to prominent figures in culture, science, diplomacy and public life who have contributed to the development of relations between the two countries. The awards ceremony will be the culmination of a two-day Slovak-Czech programme in Martin on 29 and 30 October. On 29 October, a ceremonial unveiling of a bust of General Milan Rastislav Stefanik is scheduled to take place on the grounds of the Matica slovenska heritage organisation, in the presence of representatives of both Parliaments. This will be followed at 5.30 p.m. by a Slovak-Czech charity football match between MPs at the Martin sports hall, with proceeds going to the IPcko organisation. The awards ceremony on 30 October will be preceded by a commemorative event and the laying of wreaths at the memorial plaque marking the Declaration of the Slovak Nation, at the historic Tatra Bank building in Martin. The Slovak-Czech Mutual Relations Awards will then be presented at 10.00 a.m. at the Turiec Gallery, with speeches by both parliamentary heads and the award recipients. mf