Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei pays an official visit to Slovenia

24 July 2017

24-07-2017

On July 24, 2017 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, paid an official visit to Slovenia. The visit coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between independent Belarus and Slovenia (on July 23, 1992).

The Belarusian Foreign Minister met with the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Karl Erjavec, the Mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Jankovic, as well as with the representatives of business circles of Slovenia.

At the meeting with his colleague, Slovenian Foreign Minister, K.Erjavec, V.Makei discussed current state and prospects for the development of the Belarusian-Slovenian relations, the interaction of Belarus and Slovenia within international organizations, Belarus-EU dialogue, the cooperation of the two countries during the Belarusian Presidency of the Central European Initiative. Special attention was paid to the intensification of trade, economic and investment ties between the two countries.

Photo by the Foreign Ministry of Slovenia

As the priority areas for strengthening relations, the parties named innovation and telecommunication spheres, construction and energy, agriculture and food processing, engineering and pharmaceuticals. The parties considered the expansion of credit, investment and banking collaboration, as well as industrial cooperation. The Ministers agreed to intensify the work on the establishment of cooperation between the regions of the two countries, in particular, between the capitals’ mayor's offices.

The sides emphasized that the historically close ties and the traditionally warm attitude of our peoples toward one another create a firm foundation for building long-term mutually beneficial cooperation.

Following the results of the negotiations, the Ministers signed the Program of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and Slovenia for 2017-2018. The Programme stipulates a number of specific bilateral events and can be considered as a “road map” for the development of relations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries for the foreseeable future.

The Ministers also exchanged Letters of Congratulation on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In his Letter, V.Makei stressed that the range of mutual interests and dialogue between our countries is expanding every year.

On the same day, V.Makei was received by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, B.Pahor. The parties discussed the development of economic, investment, humanitarian and cultural ties, stressed the need to expand and improve the level of political dialogue between the two countries. The sides also considered the situation in the region and the problems of international security. Special attention was paid to the development of cooperation between Belarus and the European Union.

At the meeting with the Mayor of Ljubljana, V.Makei discussed prospects for establishing direct cooperation between the capitals. The focus of the cooperation should be not only on the development of trade and economic collaboration and the exchange of experience in the sphere of urban economy, but also on the cultural and humanitarian component.

V.Makei expressed gratitude to the Ljubljana library for granting the original “Little Road Book” by Francysk Skaryna for temporary exhibiting in the National Library of Belarus.

The Minister also met with representatives of major Slovenian companies interested in deepening cooperation with Belarus. At the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for implemention of economic projects, creation of joint ventures and entering the markets of third countries.