MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – The Belarusian Embassy in Slovakia presented Belarus' tourism industry and the 2nd European Games in Bratislava, BelTA learned from the diplomatic mission.
Slovakia will send more than 70 athletes to the 2nd European Games. Therefore Minsk expects many visitors from that country.
Sport is the most effective tool of public diplomacy, Belarusian Ambassador to Slovakia Igor Leschenya said during the event. For example, during the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship held in Minsk in 2014 Slovakia had one of the largest groups of fans. According to the diplomat, Belarusians made many new friends in Slovakia.
Famous Slovak ice hockey player, former coach of HC Minsk Dinamo Lubomir Pokovic shared his opinion about Belarus and its sports infrastructure. Under his leadership the Belarusian club achieved its best results in the Western Conference of the Kontinental Hockey League in the 2014/2015 season. “The Slovak hockey player praised the sports facilities in the Belarusian capital and hailed Minsk as a clean green beautiful European city,” the Embassy said.
The participants were told about tourism in Belarus, the current 30-day visa-free travel and 10-day visa-free access to designated tourist-and-recreational zones.
The presentation was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of Slovakia, the Constitutional Committee of the National Council (Parliament), representatives of the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, accredited diplomats in Slovakia. Among the guests were also representatives of the regional authorities, universities, business, public associations and journalists.
