Miroslav Lajcak Was Awarded the Honorary Title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE

Mr. Miroslav Lajcák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic was awarded the Honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE in an official ceremony in the presence of the UNWE academic leadership.

In the Academic Hall

The Rector Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev pointed out that at proposal of the International Relations Department the Academic Council confers the Honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE on Mr. Miroslav Lajcák  for his contribution to the building up of European diplomacy in the development of relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Slovak Republic and for his significant role in encouraging the positive changes in the West Balkans as an investment in peace, security and prosperity of Europe and basis of policy for building up a stronger, stable and united European Union.

Prof. Stattev emphasized on the close relation of Mr. Lajcák with Bulgaria and defined the diplomat as a person successfully combining the academism with practice evidenced by his exceptionally rich professional biography.

The Rector is greeting Mr. Lajcák

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Bakalova, Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty presented Mr. Lajcák and defined him as a true representative of the new millennium diplomacy, devoted diplomat of national, European and global magnitude, key figure in the mediation of the post-conflict crises in the Western Balkans. Mr. Lajcák has negotiated, organized and supervised the referendum on the independence of Montenegro on behalf of the European Union and he has served as High Representative of the International Community and European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has also participated in the shaping of the newly formed diplomatic service of the European Union, the European External Action Service, and served as its Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia. Mr. Lajcák is serving his fourth term as the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and from January of the current year he also serves as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). He has received several state honors.  

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Bakalova

The Rector awarded to Mr. Lajcák the academic regalia of the Honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE – a roll in the Old-Bulgarian and Latin language and the Honorary sign of UNWE (in the pictures below).

In the beginning of his academic speech, which Mr. Lajcák delivered in Bulgarian, he outlined the important role of education as a way to overcoming prejudice and simplified judgments burdening our modern society, a way to tolerance, a way to avoid repeating historic mistakes. He appealed for respect for the values of true knowledge, understanding, and cooperation which he considers as pillars of the formula to achieve sustainable peace and progress in global magnitude. “University is a place, where young people learn not only languages or empirical facts. It made me very glad when I had read how many partnerships, international programs or mobility your University offers. Because this is the best way to discover. Through experience, external view, through different perspective. That teaches us to open our minds, to see the opposite opinion, to make a compromise”, pointed out Mr. Lajcák.

Further in his academic speech Mr. Lajcák declared:

“Today, I wish to appreciate the work of professors of this University and encourage the students, to work on knowing their country, their discipline, and also themselves.

Because only with this background we can face the afflictions of this time.

Uncovering lies, arguing against deception, defending truth and by doing so protecting the values that we have fought for over a long time.

And only with this background we can cultivate within ourselves empathy and tolerance – indeed, people are mainly scared of what they do not know.

So we can understand each other - grasping the starting points of the other side.

This way we can speak with each other and not to each other.”

The full text of Mr. Lajcák`s Academic Speech can be seen here.

The academic speech was loudly applauded. The ovations are an indicator for the high assessment of our academic community and the Honorary title bears responsibility. We expect Mr. Lajcák to continue being among us also in the future, pointed out Prof. Stattev and reminded that traditionally the holders of the Honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE should deliver an academic speech or public lecture at our university every year.

In the Golden Book of UNWE Mr. Lajcák wrote:

“It is a great honour for me to receive the title Dr. H. C. from the prestigious University of National and World Economy. On this extraordinary occasion I would like to congratulate UNWE to 100 Anniversary of its founding. During this time the university has formed many successful Bulgarian leaders. In this context I would like to underline that the education is not only an investment to economic prosperity, but also a way how we build sustainable peace, security and understanding between the nations all over the world. This is our important commitment and message for future generations. Wish you success!”

The portrait of Mr. Lajcák was put next to the portraits of holders of the Honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE in the Academic Hall (in the pictures below).