Blanar and Simkovicova Leave for Working Visit to North Macedonia

Bratislava, 29 October (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) left for Skopje, North Macedonia, on Thursday morning to strengthen bilateral relations and express Slovakia's support for the country's integration into the EU. Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) left for a working visit to North Macedonia as well. During his visit, Blanar is due to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Timco Mucunski and will also meet with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Parliamentary Speaker Afrim Gashi. In addition to discussing bilateral and economic relations and North Macedonia's European prospects, the talks will also revolve around developments in the Western Balkans, security in Europe, illegal migration and transatlantic relations. As part of his itinerary, Blanar will also pay tribute to Slovak soldier Lubomir Orsag, who was killed in the city of Tetovo in North Macedonia during an armed civil conflict in July 2001. During her visit to the country, Simkovicova will meet Culture and Tourism Minister Sedat Sulejmani. ko