Oľga Algayerová has been appointed as Slovakia's new permanent representative to the Council of Europe (CoE) in Strasbourg. The Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MZVEZ) informed TASR about the appointment. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) stated that she faces a significant diplomatic role.
Previously, Algayerová served as Slovakia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna and was the state secretary of the MZVEZ. She also held a high position within the United Nations as the executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, with the rank of UN Deputy Secretary-General.
Algayerová presented her credentials to President Peter Pellegrini on Tuesday. She succeeds Oksana Tomová, who served as Slovakia's permanent representative to the CoE since April 2021.
"Slovakia has built a respected position in this organization over 32 years of its involvement," Algayerová said. "Slovakia has transformed from a recipient of assistance and expertise to an active contributor to the work of the Council of Europe’s working and monitoring bodies."
In cooperation with the Venice Commission, an expert advisory body of the CoE on constitutional law, Slovakia's Permanent Mission will also support the adoption of a draft convention to protect lawyers, which would be the first international treaty on this issue.
Algayerová emphasized that Slovakia’s diplomatic goal is to continue contributing to European security based on the principles of human rights protection, democracy, and the rule of law.
Foreign Minister Blanár highlighted that Slovakia has personalities within its diplomacy who gain valuable experience in international organizations and the private sector and then return to represent the country’s interests. He also noted that Algayerová faces an important diplomatic task.
"Protecting and supporting human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law are the core values on which the Constitution of Slovakia is based and also the founding documents of other international organizations of which we are members," Blanár stated.
The Council of Europe is the oldest international political organization of European countries. Slovakia has been a member since 1993. The decision-making body is the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, composed of the foreign ministers of the member states. Slovakia is represented by Minister Blanár, and there are currently 13 Slovak citizens working within the CoE, including a judge at the European Court of Human Rights.
Source: TASR
