Rep. n° 01/2024
Žilina, March 5, 2024. Château Gbeľany played host today to an important presentation ceremony of the internationally recognised Slovak based non-profit organization Servare et Manere. Secretary General Marek Sobola, presented the prestigious Memorial Medal of the Tree of Peace to Mr Anthony Bailey GCSS, renowned Irish interfaith campaigner, charity campaigner and diplomat. Among the previous recipients of Servare et Manere awards are Her Excellency Zuzana Čaputová, President of the Slovak Republic, and numerous other heads of state, royalty, foreign ministers and diplomats. Anthony Bailey was recognised for his longstanding and significant contribution to strengthening and promoting friendship and understanding between peoples and religions across the world.
Servare et Manere Secretary-General Mr Marek Sobola, highlighted these merits in his address and wished Mr Anthony Bailey many more successes in the numerous prominent roles he undertakes globally. It was noted that Mr Bailey is currently serving as His Majesty’s Hon Consul General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic – two countries which are active participants in the work of this NGO and which since 2022 has been a member of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The Secretary General also highlighted the NGO’s formal recognition and partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak republic.
He highlighted too Mr Bailey’s long standing relationship with Slovakia dating back to 1988 which culminated he said in 2016 with the awarding by the Slovak Government of the Medal of the President of the Slovak Republic in recognition of his efforts to promote the EU and NATO member state overseas. Dr Charles Tannock MBE, former Member of the European Parliament for London, who is supportive of the Servare et Manere, were among those present. After the Award Ceremony, the distinguished visitors viewed the renovated mansion Château Gbeľany and visited the historical and religious sites in the city centre of Žilina city.
