Ambassador Karol Mistrík: Slovak ethnics' cohabitation with Romanian majority, an example for any state

The Slovakian people cannot ever forget the sacrifice of the Romanian troops for the liberation of one third of the territory of Slovakia, Ambassador Karol Mistrík said on Thursday in Oradea, emphasizing that the good cohabitation between the local Slovak ethnics and the Romanian majority can provide an example for any state. 

Addressing the reception organized in the Oradea Citadel on the occasion of the Slovak National Council Day, the diplomat said that our nations are connected by longtime, very good traditions. We have a long common history and we are very close. Slovakia cannot ever forget that almost a third of its territory was liberated by the Romanian troops. 240,000 Romanian troops fought on the territory of Slovakia and 10,000 died on Slovak soil, said the diplomat, who also mentioned the WW2 Heroes Cemetery in Zvolen, and expressed gratitude for Romania's wartime efforts. In 1968, when the Warsaw pact troops entered Czechoslovakia, Romania said a firm 'No!' and did not join the action, Karol Mistrík went on to say, adding that in 1992, even before the new Constitution of Slovakia was finalized, Romania was the first to recognize the Slovak state. 

The Slovak minority in Romania represents another link with the Slovak state, the ambassador underscored. 

Our minority can make full use of the benefits of this status, develop culturally and preserve its identity. The cohabitation between the Slovak minority and the Romanian majority may be an example for any state, Ambassador Karol Mistrík said, pointing out that the visit of Slovakian Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini to Romania had been a great success and set new ground for future development. 

The diplomat brought to mind that during the meeting with Prefect Ioan Mihaiu and President of the Bihor County Council, Pasztor Sandor, new ways of cooperation were found for which one term would be too short to carry out. 

I believe in normality. We have been inventorying for two years now, with the help of the Slovak representatives, the issues I am perfectly knowledgeable of, as being key for a minority: culture, school, infrastructure - to the possible extent - and local administration. We have built a system to provide financing for those essential needs of the Slovak community, depending also on the budget, but which reaches beyond the political jumble so to say, that is capable to carry on and preserve its identity. I believe that multiculturalism and our tolerant approach brings added benefits of this county and this country. We must be a model for others too, said in his turn the President of the Bihor County Council.