Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Amanatidis, received today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the new Slovak Ambassador to Greece, Iveta Hricová. During the meeting, the Ambassador spoke warmly of Greece, emphasizing the great influence of Greek civilization and the large number of Slovak tourists (some 70,000) who visit Greece every year.Mrs. Hricová noted that Greece is a “pillar of stability” in the wider region and highlighted Slovakia’s support of the further enlargement of the EU with the countries of the western Balkans. Mrs. Hricová also underscored that Slovakia has expertise to share with Greece in the spa-tourism sector, in which she sees Greece as having great potential.Mr. Amanatidis referred to cultural issues of mutual interest, taking the opportunity to underscore that Greece desires the completion of the Executive Programme for Cultural and Educational Cooperation. Finally, Mr. Amanatidis briefed Mrs. Hricová on the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East, which will be hosted at the end of this month by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.