Speech of the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, during his supervision of the official inauguration of the Algerian embassy in Bratislava

Your Excellency Mr. Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic,

Your Excellency Mr. Marek Eštok, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Your Excellency Mme Habiba Kharour, Ambassador of Algeria to Slovakia,

Your Excellency Mr. Marek Murin, Ambassador of Slovakia to Algeria,

Dear all Slovak friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

-It is with particular warmth and profound gratitude that I welcome all of you to this joyful celebration on the occasion of the inauguration of the Algerian Embassy here in Bratislava.

-Allow me, first and foremost, to extend my deepest and most sincere thanks to you, Minister Juraj Blanár, for the great honor of your presence today, a presence that speaks volumes of the importance that Slovakia attaches to the strengthening and deepening of its bilateral relations with my country, Algeria.

-I am deeply pleased and truly honoured to begin the programme of my visit to Slovakia with this solemn moment: the official inauguration of the Algerian Embassy in this charming and historic city of Bratislava. Such moments are indeed very precious in the life of nations. They mark turning points, they open new horizons, and they remain forever engraved in our common memory. Today is one of those moments for both Algeria and Slovakia.

-As we celebrate this precious moment, I wish to convey my deepest appreciation to the Slovak authorities for their important decision to reopen their Embassy in Algiers. Only a few days ago, I had the pleasure of receiving the new Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Algeria, Mr. Marek Murin. And the day before yesterday, I was privileged to be part of the ceremony of presentation of his credentials to His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

-During this ceremony, Ambassador Marek Murin heard directly from the most authorized source in the land, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, how much committed Algeria is to giving more substance, new prospects and added momentum to its relations with friendly Slovakia.

-There is indeed a strong, shared and clearly expressed political will on both the Algerian and Slovak sides to elevate our cooperation, our partnership and our friendship to an entirely new level. This political will has not come out of nowhere. It is the fruit of a profound conviction that has grown stronger with every encounter and every discussion we have had with our Slovak friends.

-We have indeed come to realize that, despite the geographical distance that separates the shores of the Mediterranean from the heart of Central Europe, an immense potential for cooperation and partnership lies before us, ready to be seized for the well-being of our two nations.

-We have also come to realize that, although we hail from different cultures, we are profoundly united by the same fundamental values: a firm defence of sovereignty and independence, a clear rejection of foreign interference, a constant quest for peace and justice in the world, and an unwavering belief that every people has the sacred right to choose its own path and to shape its own future.

-We have also come to realize that, despite all apparent differences, Algeria and Slovakia have always been like-minded on the global stage. Our positions are grounded on the same values and principles. We regard the major issues of our time through the same lenses, and we stand together to defend the most sacred achievements that mankind has ever made: international law, the multilateral system and the Organization of the United Nations itself.

-Drawing on all these shared values and common aspirations, the Algerian Embassy in Bratislava will spare no effort to nurture and further strengthen the bonds that bring our two nations ever closer. It will be a living bridge between our peoples, an open platform for constant dialogue, and a driving force for all initiatives that will hopefully serve the interests of Algerians and Slovaks alike.

-Today’s inauguration provides the perfect occasion to solemnly reaffirm Algeria’s full commitment to working hand in hand with Slovakia as we open a bright new chapter in the history of our bilateral relations:

-A new chapter of strengthened political dialogue, rooted in mutual trust, sincere commitment and unwavering respect;

-A new chapter of expanded economic cooperation in energy, in industry, in agriculture, in new technologies and in every other promising field;

-And a new chapter of enriched human and cultural exchanges that will allow our youth to meet, to understand each other, and to build together the world of tomorrow.

Long live Slovakia!

Long live Algeria!

Long live the Algerian-Slovak partnership and friendship!

-I thank you all.