PH Ambassador Presents Credentials to Slovak President
Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad presents her Letter of Credence as non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Slovak President Andrej Kiska at a ceremony held at the presidential palace in Bratislava on 13 February 2019.
VIENNA 19 February 2019 – Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad presented her Letters of Credence as non-resident Ambassador to Slovak President Andrej Kiska, at a ceremony held at the presidential palace in the capital city of Bratislava on 13 February 2019.
Following the presentation ceremony, which also included the ambassadors of Iceland, Tunisia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Zambia, and Tajikistan to Slovakia President Kiska hosted the newly-minted country representatives to a brief reception.
During their dialogue, Ambassador Natividad raised the possibility of advancing labor cooperation with Slovakia in order to address an impending shortage of skilled workers in the country. President Kiska welcomed the prospect of Slovak companies hiring more Filipino employees, whom the various industries see as high-value professionals.
Ambassador Natividad also thanked the Slovak government for their quick, decisive and sympathetic action on the unfortunate demise of overseas Filipino worker Henry John Acorda in Bratislava last year, which included the use an official Slovak plane to bring home Acorda’s remains to his family in the Philippines. At the same time, the Ambassador also expressed her hope that justice will be served, and a resolution will be forthcoming to provide closure to everyone concerned.
A diplomatic reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel was also held after the conclusion of the formal presentation of credentials ceremony.
Philippine Honorary Consul in Slovakia Ing. Pavol Konstiak arranged for the event where Ambassador Natividad, together with officials from the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, met with representatives from the Slovak government, the Bratislava Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the private business sector, and the academia. She also touched base with the Filipino community in Slovakia.
Ambassador Natividad communicated to the guests her goal of further stimulating the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Slovak Republic.
The Ambassador had earlier presented the open copy of her credentials to the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs last 30 January 2019. As non-resident Ambassador, she will be covering Slovakia from Vienna. END
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/ @PHLinAustria on Twitter
Left photo: Non-resident Ambassador to Slovakia Maria Cleofe R. Natividad and Office of the President Head Stefan Rozkopal share a toast for stronger Philippine-Slovak bilateral relations. Right photo: Ambassador Natividad addresses the guests of the diplomatic reception. (Vienna PE photo)
Left photo: Non-resident Ambassador to Slovakia Maria Cleofe R. Natividad and Consul General Deena Joy D. Amatong with the Filipino Community in Slovakia. (Vienna PE photo)
Non-resident Ambassador to Slovakia Maria Cleofe R. Natividad interfaces with Slovak businessmen. (Vienna PE photo)