Bratislava, October 14 - British Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are to come to Slovakia on October 23-24 to pay their first-ever visit at the invitation of Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic.

During the official state visit, the Royal couple will be accompanied by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (foreign minister) David Miliband.

This visit - a confirmation of strong and lasting relations between Slovakia and the United Kingdom - will be focused on topics of partnership, social inclusion and environmental issues, plus trade, investments, tourism, culture, education and science.

During the first day of the visit Queen Elizabeth and Price Philip will meet Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic, Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paska and Prime Minister Robert Fico. After private talks with the President and First Lady Silvia Gasparovicova the delegation will meet Mayor of Bratislava Andrej Durkovsky.

The Royal couple will also attend a ceremonial reception organised by British Ambassador to Slovakia Michael Roberts. Later on, the Queen will have lunch with Paska and Fico. The evening in Bratislava will culminate with an official state dinner organised by the President and First Lady.

On Friday, October 24, the delegation will visit eastern Slovakia. Elizabeth will visit the town of Stary Smokovec in High Tatra mountains (Poprad region), as well as the tourism resort Hrebienok. In Spisska Sobota (Poprad) the Queen will visit St. George's Church and see the well-known historical altar of Master Paul of Levoca.

In a separate programme, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will take part in a discussion on climate change organised by the British Council in Slovakia. At the conclusion of the visit the Royal couple will visit the ice-hockey stadium in Poprad and officially open a friendly match between Poprad and Guilford from the UK.

(TASR-SLOVAKIA)

Illustratio photo: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (AP)