Following Miroslav Lajčák's appointment yesterday as Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, Federal Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier sent his new colleague a message of congratulation.

The letter reads as follows:

“Please accept my warmest congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. I wish you all the very best and every success in this responsible position.

Our two countries are close partners in NATO and the European Union. I am convinced that we will work closely together in a spirit of trust to master the tasks ahead, including the implementation of the agreed roadmap for the Lisbon Treaty. I am delighted that Slovak foreign policy will benefit from the wealth of diplomatic experience you have gathered with such great commitment over the years. I am particularly pleased to have a counterpart so well versed in the German language. Let us work together to further develop and intensify the friendly relations existing between our two countries.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for your sterling work in your important office as High Representative and EU Special Envoy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I look forward to working with you and hope that we may soon have an opportunity for a personal exchange of views.”

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