During today’s video call, Minister Dr Anže Logar and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Arancha González Laya confirmed mutual interest in further enhancing friendly cooperation between the two countries, also in view of Slovenia’s upcoming EU Council Presidency and combating the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit Spain particularly hard.
Having assessed bilateral relations as very positive, friendly and ever more intensive, the two foreign ministers spoke in favour of close collaboration in the run-up to Slovenia’s EU Council Presidency in the second semester of 2021, which will be inescapably marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and its fallout. As two Mediterranean EU Member States and NATO Allies, Slovenia and Spain share many similar views on various European, regional and global topics, assessed the two foreign ministers, who underscored enhanced cooperation among Mediterranean countries and on the Southern Neighbourhood policy, as well as in tackling security issues within NATO. Particular emphasis was put on the consistent respect for the rule of law in the EU and beyond.
In examining the Covid-19 developments, the two counterparts called for close cooperation and solidarity among countries and for coordinated measures aimed at a speedy economic recovery. The recent collaboration in organising repatriation flights of Slovenian citizens from Spain stands testament to solidarity. The Slovenian and Spanish foreign ministers expressed hope that bilateral economic trends, with trade having exceeded one billion euros for three consecutive years, would remain positive.
They also touched on the situation in the Western Balkans and a European perspective for the countries in the region.
The ministers share the assessment that the current and other international crises may only be overcome through constructive cooperation in rising up to global challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, migration, economic downturn, and other pressing current topics, both in the EU and beyond.
Sorce: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
