By: UKOM
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar met with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday in Washington, which was the third bilateral meeting at the level of foreign ministers over the last year and a half. The meeting was aimed at continuing the strategic dialogue between the two countries.
In his talks with Secretary of State Blinken, Minister Logar expressed satisfaction with the quality of bilateral relations, which is also reflected in stronger links between Ljubljana and Washington at both the working and political levels. The strategic dialogue mechanism between Slovenia and the US, which was established last December and has advanced with regular politico-military consultations and other bilateral meetings, has largely contributed to the development of closer links between the two countries. Following today’s talks, the strategic dialogue is to continue in 2022 in both Ljubljana and Washington.
Minister Logar outlined the achievements of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, during which Slovenia devoted particular attention also to EU-US relations. The two foreign ministers were particularly pleased with the fact that what was agreed at the EU-US Summit in June is now being put into action.
The two countries also work together successfully within various multilateral forums. In this context, Minister Logar informed his counterpart that Slovenia has filed a candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2024–2025 term.
The counterparts also found time to touch on cyber and energy security featuring in the wider context of the efforts both Slovenia and the US have made towards strengthening resilience, digital transformation, and green transition, which are all also priority areas set out by the Slovenian EU Council Presidency.
Minister Logar and Secretary of State Blinken then exchanged views on topical international issues, with special focus on the Western Balkans. They were in full agreement that the region’s stability is essential to Euro-Atlantic stability, whereby close cooperation between the EU, the US and the Western Balkans plays an important role. In this context, Minister Logar outlined the efforts that Slovenia as the holder of the EU Council presidency has made to continue the EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, namely to North Macedonia and Albania. The two foreign ministers also expressed their concern regarding the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They also discussed the latest developments at the Russia-Ukraine border and the situation in Belarus, as well as relations with China.