Miroslav Lajčák facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Miroslav Lajčák
Lajčák in 2020

EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 April 2020
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 – 28 February 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 on March 20, 1963, is a well-known Slovak diplomat and politician. He used to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Slovakia. He also served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2017 to 2018.

He played an important role in helping countries in the Western Balkans after conflicts. For example, he helped organize the vote for Montenegro to become independent in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, he was the High Representative for the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Currently, Lajčák is the EU Special Representative for talks between Belgrade and Pristina, and for other issues in the Western Balkans. He started this role in April 2020.

About Miroslav Lajčák
Personal Life
Other Activities
See also

About Miroslav Lajčák

Early Life and Education

Miroslav Lajčák went to primary school in Stará Ľubovňa. His family moved to Bratislava in 1977, where he continued his studies. He later studied law at Comenius University in Bratislava. He also earned a master's degree in international relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He also studied in Germany at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.

Awards and Recognitions

Lajčák has received many important awards from different countries. These include the Order of the Yugoslav Star in 2005 and the Order of Honour of the Republic of Moldova in 2014. He also received the Order of the Montenegrin Great Star in 2016. In 2020, he was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden and the Order of the Star of Romania.

He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities. These include the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria and the University of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Languages Spoken

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

Diplomatic Career Beginnings (1988–2005)

Miroslav Lajčák started his career in diplomacy in 1988. He worked for 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 national Foreign Service. He became the Director of the Cabinet for the Foreign Minister. Later, he was the Director of the Cabinet for Prime Minister Jozef Moravčík.

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 at that time. After his time in Japan, he returned to the Foreign Ministry in 1998.

His international work began in 1999. He served as the Executive Assistant to the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Balkans, Eduard Kukan.

From 2001 to 2005, Lajčák was based in Belgrade. He was Slovakia's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which later became Serbia and Montenegro). He also covered Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. After this, he became the Political Director at the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia from 2005 to 2007.

Supervising Montenegro's Independence Vote (2005)

In 2005, Javier Solana, the EU diplomacy chief, asked Lajčák to oversee the 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum. This vote decided if Montenegro would become an independent country. The vote passed with 55.5% of people voting for independence. People in Serbia and Montenegro remember him as a tough but fair negotiator.

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2007–2009)

On June 30, 2007, Lajčák was chosen to be the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His job was to help guide the country after its conflicts. He regularly reported to the UN Security Council.

During his time, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an important agreement with the European Union. This was called the Stabilization and Association Agreement. It was a big step for the country's integration with Europe. He also started programs to connect with the people, including public talks and a website for citizens to share their thoughts.

He was named "person of the year" by two major newspapers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lajčák left Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2009. He was then nominated to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs of 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 2009 to July 2010, Lajčák served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Robert Fico's first government.

From December 2010 to April 2012, he worked as a managing director for Europe and Central Asia in the EU's European External Action Service.

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

In November 2015, Slovakia voted against Kosovo joining UNESCO. Lajčák explained that Slovakia wanted to send a message to Belgrade and Pristina. He said that such proposals should come from mutual agreement. He added that Slovakia wanted to strengthen dialogue, and they feared this issue could make it worse.

In 2016, Lajčák suggested that the EU should change its approach to Russia. In October 2018, he warned Vietnam about a case where a Vietnamese businessman was kidnapped and taken back home through Slovakia. In November 2018, Lajčák spoke out against a proposed land swap between Kosovo and Serbia. He said it was "anti-democratic" and could cause problems in the region.

Lajčák announced in November 2019 that he would leave Slovak politics after the 2020 parliamentary election.

Shaping EU Diplomacy (2010–2012)

From 2010 to 2012, Lajčák helped create the new diplomatic service of the European Union, called the European External Action Service. He was the managing director for Europe and Central Asia. He also served as the EU's Chief Negotiator for important agreements with Ukraine and Moldova. He was also the EU Representative for talks about the Transnistrian Settlement Process.

Slovak Presidency of the EU Council (2016)

In June 2016, Slovakia took over the Presidency of the EU Council. In his speech, Lajčák said that Slovakia was grateful to be at the core of Europe and it was time to give back.

Lajčák was a candidate for the United Nations Secretary-General position in 2016. He finished in second place after the current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

President of the UN General Assembly (2017–2018)

Lajčák served as the President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly from 2017 to 2018. In this role, he promoted dialogue and working together between countries. He was the first president to share his financial information publicly.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (2019)

In 2019, Lajčák was very active in East and South-East Europe as the Chairperson-in-office of the OSCE. Slovakia's time leading the OSCE focused on people, dialogue, and stability. He visited many OSCE locations to highlight their important work. He also held high-level talks with leaders, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

EU Special Representative for Western Balkans (2020–Present)

On April 2, 2020, the EU Council appointed Lajčák as the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan issues. His job is to help normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo. He also works to improve good neighborly relations and reconciliation in the Western Balkans. His role helps these countries move past old conflicts. His term has been extended twice since then.

Personal Life

Lajčák is married to Jarmila Lajčáková-Hargašová, who was born in 1966. She 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