Montreal, April 14, 2026 – The presence of the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in Montreal is further evidence of the positive momentum in relations with Canada and the vibrant connection between Slovaks in Canada and their homeland. This was stated by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Marek Eštok, who on Monday, April 13, 2026, ceremonially presented the consular commission to the new Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Montreal, Daniela Arendášová.
“Slovakia and Canada are linked by an excellent level of mutual dialogue, supported by strong interpersonal ties through a sizeable expatriate community. Our new honorary consul has all the prerequisites for a successful tenure and will undoubtedly build on the work of her predecessors,” said Eštok.
According to the State Secretary, the experience and life story of D. Arendášová are an inspiration to many, demonstrating how one can succeed in a competitive international environment through honest and determined work.
“In addition to her professional achievements over more than 30 years of active work for prestigious organizations such as the renowned Cirque du Soleil, Ms. Daniela Arendášová deserves our gratitude and recognition on a personal level as well. She emigrated from her homeland to the free world during the former communist regime but never turned her back on it, and in Canada she has long actively contributed to preserving the cultural identity of our compatriots and maintaining interpersonal ties with the Slovak Republic,” the State Secretary added.
He also emphasized that Montreal, as the metropolis of the Canadian province of Quebec, is one of the centers of Slovak expatriate life in North America. At the same time, it represents a place of opportunity for Slovak companies, students, and researchers.
“The development of relations, the search for new opportunities for cooperation, and support for preserving cultural traditions will therefore remain priorities of our Honorary Consulate in Montreal, whose operation builds on a long-standing tradition dating back to 1994,” explained Marek Eštok, adding that the active role of this diplomatic representation continues to confirm the interest in further developing cooperation with Canada and strengthening ties with Slovak communities in the region.
Canada is home to the fourth-largest Slovak community in the world, estimated at more than 100,000 people.
Slovak diplomacy has long relied on a network of honorary consulates as an important tool for strengthening its presence abroad, particularly in regions without a resident diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic. Their role is not only to provide basic consular services and assistance to citizens, but also to support economic diplomacy, the development of business opportunities, cultural exchange, and the maintenance of ties with expatriate communities. The Slovak Republic currently has 187 honorary consular offices worldwide, including 10 honorary consulates general. An additional 19 honorary consulates are in the process of being established.
Source: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
