A Slovakian delegation to Israel announced that the country will open a cultural centre in Jerusalem.
With the move, Slovakia will join the Czech Republic and Bulgaria as the other European Union member states to expand their diplomatic presence in the city since US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“I’m full of hope that this is the first of a series of steps that will follow,” said MP Martin Glváč, who heads the Slovakian National Council’s Slovakian-Israeli friendship committee.
Glváč made the announcement at a Knesset event marking 100 years since the establishment of Czechoslovakia, later split into Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and 70 years since Israel was founded.
Andrej Danko, the head of the Slovakian National Council, was also in attendance, as was Milan Štěch, the president of the Czech senate.
The decision, made by Slovakian Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, came after Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein called on Slovakia to follow the Czech Republic in opening an honorary consulate in the city.
“This is a tremendous diplomatic achievement for Israel and a pleasant surprise for all of us,” said Edelstein, thanking the Slovaks. “I am certain that when additional delegations arrive here they will understand Jerusalem is Israel’s eternal capital.”
There was no indication from the Slovak foreign ministry that the move entailed any change in Bratislava’s stance on the city.
The Slovakian lawmakers did not give a timeframe for when the new facility would be opened.
