NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor hosts Libyan Prime Minister al Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi officially visiting Slovenia
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, the Prime Minister of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Al Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi, is paying a two-day official visit to Slovenia. The visit is taking place in the light of the implementation of the agreements adopted during Mr Pahor’s visit to Libya on 10 and 11 November 2009, and will contribute to the enhancement of comprehensive bilateral cooperation.
(Photo: Matej Leskovšek/STA)
During their talks, the two Prime Ministers exchanged views and positions on some topical issues related to international relations, with the emphasis on the possibilities for strengthening economic cooperation. They both agreed that after the visit of the Slovenian Prime Minister and his economic delegation to Tripoli, the relations between the two countries have significantly improved. The current visit of the Libyan Prime Minister additionally confirms the friendly ties Slovenia and Libya have mutually forged. The Libyan Prime Minister also conveyed to Mr Pahor greetings from the Libyan leader, Muammar al-Gaddafi.
(Photo: Matej Leskovšek/STA)
Within the efforts for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Ministers signed an Agreement on economic cooperation, providing, inter alia, for the establishment of a joint economic committee whose task would be to set up a list of Libyan investments in Slovenia and potential Slovenian business opportunities in Libya. Moreover, they signed the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. During the visit, the delegations of the two countries signed certain other memoranda and letters of intent in the area of agriculture, tourism, higher education and health, and the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Transport, all aiming at increasing bilateral trade and investments.
(Photo: Matej Leskovšek/STA)
The two Prime Ministers also touched upon the relations between the European Union and Libya, while particularly highlighting the conclusion of a Framework Agreement laying down common interests for cooperation in several areas, above all in energy and migrations. Prime Minister Pahor announced that the Republic of Slovenia would open a diplomatic and consular representation in Tripoli to help promote economic cooperation between Slovenia and Libya, while the Libyan Prime Minister announced the opening of a Libyan Embassy in Slovenia. The Slovenian Prime Minister also announced that Slovenia and Libya would sign a bilateral agreement with Libya on the elimination of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and service travel documents as soon as the relevant internal procedures laid down by the Schengen acquis have been completed. The two dignitaries went on to exchange views on the situation on the African continent and in the Middle East and on some other foreign policy issues, including the enlargement of the European Union and NATO to the Western Balkans. The Libyan Prime Minister promised Slovenia to support its candidacy for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2012/2013.