Slovak institutes to promote Bratislava

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák and Bratislava mayor Ivo Nesrovnal signed a contract on cooperation concerning the joint presentation of Bratislava and Slovakia abroad. The contract will allow Bratislava to use the premises of Slovak Institutes in Paris, Moscow, Rome, Berlin, Budapest, Prague, Warsaw and Vienna when presenting itself abroad. The Bratislava mayor expects this agreement to attract more tourists and investments to the capital, which has received €15 million from the Cabinet to spruce up the city for the six-month Council of the EU presidency starting July 1. "Bratislava hasn't utilised such a tool of presentation abroad until now. This should provide more information about Bratislava and Slovakia, about its values, culture and economy and should also contribute to the development of tourism," stated Ivo Nesrovnal, who initiated this contract. "We've created a great deal of scope for joining the potentials and capacities of the state and capital city to intensively present themselves in places, where Slovak institutes are based," said Lajčák. According to the contract, Bratislava is obliged to organise at least one event annually in at least two cities with a Slovak Institute. The contract is valid for five years and could be extended after its expiration.