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A Partnership That’s Going Places - Michael Roberts - British Ambassador

Michael Roberts came to Slovakia as British Ambassador in August 2007. Previously, he had worked at Britain’s diplomatic missions in Ankara, Athens and to the EU in Brussels. With his pianist wife, Margaret, and teenage children Helen, Clare and Ed, he is quickly establishing his new home, next to Bratislava’s Slavin monument, as a hive of musical activity.

You’ve been in Slovakia for less than a year. How do you find it?
„Naturally beautiful. Culturally vibrant. Quaint, as it shows off its sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy, past. Strikingly modern and dynamic as it forges ahead economically, but with some social legacies that have still to be addressed. There’s an intense political debate, with which it’s easy to be involved. This makes it a rich and rewarding experience for any ambassador, especially since the setting is so congenial and the people so friendly.“

Before coming to Slovakia, you were Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Turkey. What was your work like there?
„Slovakia had just joined the EU when I got to Ankara in 2004. My work there was mostly about helping Turkey to get itself, and the EU, into a position where it was possible to think about Turkey becoming an EU member too. Pushing for political and economic reforms, above all. Dealing with terrorism, its causes as well as its consequences. Lots on how Turkey should deal with problems on its borders – with Iraq, Iran, Syria, Armenia as well as the Cyprus problem. Turning round public opinion inside the EU about Turkey – a truly vast country, steeped in history, with which visitors and investors from my country have had a long love affair.“

Which country do you find closer to you, Slovakia or Turkey?
„Unfair question. I’m passionate about both. Margaret and I go back to Turkey to see friends and places – the Mediterranean, Istanbul – whenever we can. It’s always nice to return to easy-living Bratislava. That passion, however, means that just as we worked hard to get Slovakia and her neighbours into the EU, now we have to devote our energies to getting Turkey into the EU. It was right for Slovakia then; it’s right for Turkey now; it was right for the EU both then and now.“

REKLAMA

What does an ordinary day look like for you?
„I’m often up early for a Slovak language lesson. Then it’s into the office for a stock take or planning session with my brilliant team at the Embassy. I aim to make at least one representational call each day – on a Minister, a senior off cial, the head of an NGO, for example. Lunch on the run or with a politician or pundit who can fill me in on what’s really happening in Slovak politics. There’s usually a business visit to make – helping out a British investor, opening a new store. I need a little time to catch up with requests and correspondence from London and to make phone calls to the people who have the answers. There is often an evening event to attend, always useful for meeting interesting people and for comparing notes with diplomatic colleagues. That leaves precious little time for the family, but I always try to find a moment to help out one of the children with an essay crisis or with music practice.“

How does diplomatic work enrich you?
„It’s the way doors open to you, doors that would probably stay closed if I weren’t an ambassador. I get to meet some amazingly interesting people. These are people with passion and commitment, power and influence, experience and vision. They are leaders who want to green the planet, help lift people out of poverty, create opportunities in education, make our world a better place to live in. Not only do they want it, they’re often doing it already. And that is humbling, especially when they seek my advice! The challenge for me is always to fi nd that connection with Britain, that bit of experience we have that inspires them to go further.“

Many Slovaks now work in the UK. What is your country’s experience of our community?
„My country was one of the first to open its doors to people from the new EU member states who wanted to work. Since then, Slovaks have come in larger numbers than we anticipated. They have made a significant contribution to our economy, showing themselves ready to work hard, to learn the English language, to skill up, to understand the British way of life and to make British friends. As the British-Slovak Ball at the Cafe Royal last February showed, they are now established, confident and doing well in the UK. Some are beginning to return to Slovakia, bringing their British know-how and contacts with them.That’s great for putting Slovakia on the map for British people. It’s great for trade too. As diplomats, we try to build partnerships all the time. This is a partnership that’s really going places.“

What are the most frequent questions with which Slovaks approach your Embassy?
„Well it used to be about visas, of course. No longer, fortunately! Nowadays they come with questions about business openings, educational opportunities and to see how we can help them find and cooperate with British partners.“

For what services do British tourists use the Embassy?
„We provide the usual range of consular services to British visitors, more and more of whom come to Slovakia each year. Bratislava has built up something of a reputation as a destination for British stag parties. We work hard to ensure these visitors can enjoy themselves without suffering serious mishap, and by and large we’re successful in that. But I’m keen to see people from my country explore more of what Slovakia has to offer, to stay longer and to experience the great outdoors, spas and cultural history that are to be found beyond Bratislava. So it’s great to see new air links and tourist facilities opening up. That’s the way forward.“

The economy of the Slovak Republic has gone through very fast development. How do you find this in relation to your country? Is the UK interested in cooperation with Slovak firms?
„Of course we are. Who wouldn’t be? Rapid economic growth, in a strategic location and imminently in the Eurozone. There are plenty of compelling reasons for British business to be in Slovakia today. Just look at the changing face of Bratislava. Or feel the opportunities in eastern or central Slovakia. It isn’t just the Slovak market, but the markets that surround it that appeal too. British companies, with their tradition of investing abroad, are well placed to exploit those opportunities. There are lots of examples of British companies hitching up with Slovaks who have been studying, or perhaps who have been working for them in the UK, to set up new businesses in Slovakia. I hope the partnerships we’re creating will accelerate this process.“

How do you relax outside work?
„Music. Margaret and I are classically-trained musicians. She teaches music at Surrey University in our home town of Guildford. Now she’s forging new links with musical friends here in Bratislava. The British Ambassador’s residence on Slavin is great for musicmaking and we get people round to play as much as we can. I play the organ and recently gave an opening recital on the beautifully restored classical organ in the church of St Egidius in Poprad (you can hear me on www.rti.fm). Bratislava is great for music. We often go to performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra. And we’re enjoying getting to know Slovak jazz greats like Peter Lipa. That keeps me going, at least until the next Chelsea match!“

By Dodo Mikláš
Photo: Archive M.H., A. Sýkora