Slovak Foreign Minister pays courtesy visit to Executive Secretary

His Excellency Eduard Kukan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, yesterday visited Mr. Wolfgang Hoffmann, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, at the Commission's headquarters in Vienna.

Slovakia has provided important support to the Commission by hosting the second On-Site Inspection (OSI) field experiment and equipment test in September and October 2001. This event was highly appreciated by all States Signatories. Slovakia also takes part regularly in training courses and workshops organized by the Commission.

Slovakia has designated the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic as its National Authority. The National Authority acts as a focal point for liaison with the Commission and with other States Signatories. Slovakia signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban (CTBT) on 30 September 1996 and ratified it on 3 March 1998. Slovakia was the ninth State to ratify the Treaty.