Vietnamese community in Slovakia officially recognized as 14th ethnic minority group

Ambassador Nguyen Tuan speaking at the ceremony (Photo: VOV)

Speaking at the event held on August 25, Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan emphasized that the Slovak Government's recognition of the Vietnamese community as the 14th ethnic minority group is a testament to their active role in Slovakia's development, thus making more effective contributions to the fine development of Vietnam-Slovakia friendship.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said the Vietnamese Party and State always pay deep attention to the overseas Vietnamese community, considering them an inseparable part and an important resource of the Vietnamese nation.

She wished that they would continue upholding the tradition of mutual assistance, law abiding and active integration, thereby contributing to the development of the host country and looking toward the homeland.

Governor of Bratislava region Juraj Droba expressed his delight and readiness to support the community as an integral part of the European nation.

For his part, Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Slovakia Vo Phuong thanked the Vietnamese Embassy as well as the authorities and people of Slovakia for supporting the community and pledged that they would continue serving as a bridge between the two countries and their people.

In early June the Slovak Government officially granted the national minority status for the Vietnamese community.

Slovakia is the second host country in the world to recognize the Vietnamese community as one of its ethnic minority groups after the Czech Republic./.