Miroslav Lajčák facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miroslav Lajčák
Lajčák in 2020
EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues
In office 2 April 2020 – 31 January 2025
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Peter Sørensen
President of the United Nations General Assembly
In office 12 September 2017 – 19 September 2018
Preceded by	Peter Thomson
Succeeded by	María Fernanda Espinosa
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 4 April 2012 – 20 March 2020
Prime Minister	Robert Fico Peter Pellegrini
Preceded by	Mikuláš Dzurinda
Succeeded by	Ivan Korčok
In office 26 January 2009 – 8 July 2010
Prime Minister	Robert Fico
Preceded by	Ján Kubiš
Succeeded by	Mikuláš Dzurinda
Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
In office 1 January 2019 – 1 January 2020
Preceded by	Enzo Moavero Milanesi
Succeeded by	Edi Rama
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
In office 1 July 2007 – 25 March 2009
Preceded by	Christian Schwarz-Schilling
Succeeded by	Valentin Inzko
European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
In office 1 July 2007 – 28 February 2009
Preceded by	Christian Schwarz-Schilling
Succeeded by	Valentin Inzko
Personal details
Born	(1963-03-20) 20 March 1963 (age 62) Poprad, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia)
Political party	Communist Party (1983–1990) Direction - Social Democracy (associated non-member)
Spouse	Jarmila Hargašová
Children	2
Alma mater	Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law Moscow State Institute of International Relations

Miroslav Lajčák (born 20 March 1963) is a Slovak politician and diplomat. He has held many important jobs in international relations. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Slovakia for several years.

He also served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2017 to 2018. This is a very important role at the United Nations. Mr. Lajčák has played a key part in helping countries in the Western Balkans region. He helped solve problems after conflicts there.

For example, he helped organize and watch over the vote for Montenegro's independence in 2006. He did this for the European Union. From 2007 to 2009, he was a top representative for the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this time, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an important agreement with the European Union.

Currently, Miroslav Lajčák is the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. He also works on other issues in the Western Balkans. He started this job on April 2, 2020.

Miroslav Lajčák's Early Life and Education

School Days and Learning

Miroslav Lajčák went to primary school in Stará Ľubovňa. In 1977, his family moved to Bratislava. There, he attended grammar school. He finished his last year of high school in Banská Štiavnica.

Later, he studied law at the Comenius University in Bratislava. He then earned a master's degree in international relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He also studied at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Lajčák has received several special awards from different countries. These include the Order of the Yugoslav Star in 2005. He also received the Order of Honour from Moldova in 2014.

In 2016, he got the Order of the Montenegrin Great Star. In 2020, he received the Royal Order of the Polar Star from the King of Sweden. He also got the Order Star of Romania in 2020.

Honorary Degrees

Many universities have given Mr. Lajčák honorary doctorates. These include the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. He also received them from the University of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Other universities include MGIMO in Russia and the University of Montenegro.

Languages He Speaks

Besides his native Slovak, Mr. Lajčák speaks many other languages. He is fluent in English, German, Russian, and French. He also speaks several South Slavic languages, including Bulgarian.

Diplomatic Career

Starting in Diplomacy (1988–2005)

Miroslav Lajčák began his career in diplomacy in 1988. He joined the foreign ministry of Czechoslovakia. From 1991 to 1993, he worked at the Czechoslovak and then Slovak embassy in Moscow.

When he returned to Slovakia in 1993, he helped set up the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He became the Director of the Foreign Minister's Cabinet. Later, he was the Director of the Prime Minister's Cabinet.

In 1994, he became the Slovak Ambassador to Japan. At 31, he was the youngest head of a diplomatic mission for Slovakia. He was also the youngest foreign ambassador in Japan. After his time in Japan, he returned to the Foreign Ministry.

His international work started in 1999. He served as an assistant to the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Balkans. From 2001 to 2005, he was Slovakia's Ambassador to Belgrade. This included Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, and Republic of Macedonia.

After this, he became the Political Director at the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia. This was from 2005 to 2007.

Supervising Montenegro's Independence Vote (2005)

In 2005, the EU's top diplomat, Javier Solana, asked Mr. Lajčák to oversee the 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum. This was a vote for Montenegro to become an independent country. The vote passed with 55.5% in favor. People from Serbia and Montenegro remember him as a tough but fair negotiator.

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2007–2009)

On June 30, 2007, Mr. Solana again chose Mr. Lajčák for a big role. He became the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union Special Representative there. He had a special job from the UN Security Council. He regularly talked with the United Nations.

During his time, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an important agreement with the European Union. This was a big step for the country. He also started talking directly with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He held public discussions and created a website for citizens to share their thoughts.

He was called "person of the year" by newspapers in Banja Luka and Sarajevo. He left Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2009. He was then chosen to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Slovakia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia (2009–2010, 2012–2020)

Lajčák (right) with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in February 2019

From January 26, 2009, to July 2010, Mr. Lajčák served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Robert Fico's first government.

From December 2010 to April 2012, he worked for the European External Action Service. This is the EU's diplomatic service. He was the managing director for Europe and Central Asia.

In April 2012, Mr. Lajčák was again appointed as the foreign minister and deputy prime minister in Robert Fico's second government. He also became the head of the Government's Council for Human Rights.

In November 2015, Slovakia voted against Kosovo joining UNESCO. Mr. Lajčák explained that Slovakia wanted Belgrade and Pristina to work together. He said the international community expected them to agree on such proposals. He added that Slovakia wanted to make their dialogue stronger.

In October 2018, he spoke out against Vietnam. This was about a Vietnamese businessman who was taken by Vietnamese agents. He was smuggled back home through Slovakia. Mr. Lajčák called this "anti-democratic."

In November 2019, Mr. Lajčák announced he would leave Slovak politics. This was after the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election.

EU Diplomatic Roles

Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia (2010–2012)

From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Lajčák helped create the European External Action Service. This is the new diplomatic service for the European Union. He was the managing director for Europe and Central Asia.

He also served as the EU's chief negotiator for important agreements. These included the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement and the Moldova–European Union Association Agreement. He also represented the EU in talks about the Transnistrian settlement process.

Slovak Republic Presidency of the Council of the EU (2016)

In June 2016, Slovakia took over the Presidency of the EU Council. In his speech, Mr. Lajčák talked about Slovakia's goals. He said, "Today, we call the EU our home... We are at the core of Europe. And we are grateful for that because we were given a lot. It's time to give back."

President of the United Nations General Assembly (2017–2018)

Mr. Lajčák served as the President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly. This was from 2017 to 2018. In this role, he promoted talking and working together between countries. He also stressed the need to help all people. He was the first president to share his financial information publicly.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (2019)

In 2019, Mr. Lajčák was very active in East and South-East Europe. He was the Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia's time leading the OSCE focused on people, dialogue, and stability.

During his time, Mr. Lajčák visited 15 OSCE field offices. He wanted to show the important work the OSCE does on the ground. He also held high-level talks with leaders in the OSCE region. This included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue (2020–Present)

On April 2, 2020, the EU Council appointed Mr. Lajčák to a new role. He became the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. He also works on other issues in the Western Balkans.

His job is to help normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo. He also works to improve good neighborly relations and help with reconciliation in the Western Balkans. This means helping countries overcome past problems. His role has been extended twice since he started.

Personal Life

Miroslav Lajčák is married to Jarmila Lajčáková-Hargašová. She was born in 1966 and is a TV news presenter. They have two daughters.

Other Activities

• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Member
• Friends of Europe, Member of the Board of Trustees
• GLOBSEC, Member of the International Advisory Council
• European Alpbach Forum, Member of the International Advisory Board

See also

In Spanish: Miroslav Lajčák para niños

• List of foreign ministers in 2017