NEWS

Slovenian Prime Minister meets US Deputy Secretary of State

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today met the US Deputy Secretary of State, James Steinberg, who was on a short official visit to Slovenia. Mr Pahor and Mr Steinberg particularly focused on political situation in the Western Balkans and the US-Slovenian relations.

    

(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)

     

Prime Minister Pahor first welcomed the US Deputy Secretary of State to Ljubljana and then outlined his assessment of the situation in the Western Balkans. He also described the so-called Brdo Process, which had been launched by way of a conference entitled "Together for the European Union" and held at the end of March at Brdo pri Kranju. Mr Pahor further expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the majority of the leaders of the EU Member States had supported the Brdo event. Moreover, he highlighted the significance of the European perspective for the entire region and the importance of what the region can offer the European Union. The American guest expressed his admiration for Slovenia's endeavours to resolve the problems in a peaceful manner and through dialogue. Moreover, Mr Steinberg commended the Slovenian and Croatian governments for signing the agreement on the settlement of the border dispute in Stockholm.

     

(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)

     

In his statement to the press, the Slovenian Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the US role in the region, both today and in the 1990s. "Both at that time and today, the United States has played an important role, a role that needs to be appreciated."  We need to find "proper solutions for the problems involving stability in the region". Mr Pahor also said that he is extremely satisfied with the continuation of the Brdo Process to be most probably resumed at the end of this month when the council of ministers for transport and infrastructure from all countries meet in Croatia. Prime Minister Pahor went on to announce that the Brdo Process would be institutionalised at the level of ministers or prime ministers.    "With the Croatian Prime Minister I also discussed the idea – we intend to present it at the next summit – to establish a small secretariat for the Brdo Process that would attend to administrative affairs and have its seat in Slovenia."

     
In his statement to the press, the US Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg expressed US support to the Brdo Process and emphasised that Slovenia significantly contributes to security in the region. As a successful democratic society, it has been providing advice for several years, while also representing an important US partner in such challenges. Mr Steinberg thanked the Slovenian Prime Minister for outlining the current situation in the region, as well as for his assessment, knowledge of and insight into the developments in the region, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.