NEWS

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pays an official visit to Slovenia

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is hosting the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who arrived early this afternoon on a two-day official visit to Slovenia. After the welcome military honours ceremony at Brdo pri Kranju, Prime Minister Putin first met with his host, Prime Minister Pahor. Tête-à-tête talks between the Prime Ministers were followed by further talks in the presence of the two delegations and the signing of agreements at the Brdo Congress Centre.

   

The Slovenian and Russian Prime Ministers held a joint press conference. Prime Minister Pahor emphasised that this was the first official visit of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation to Slovenia and that the two countries have traditional and friendly relations as well as common Slavic roots. Prime Minister Pahor has underlined that Russia is an important strategic partner and that the trade in goods between the two countries has lately increased by 36%: “The guest and I have agreed to do our best to further enhance the bilateral trade.”

 

(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/SPA, source: GCO)

 

Russian Prime Minister Putin said that, besides cooperation in the field of energy, Russia is also interested in high technology. With regard to the South Stream gas pipeline project, he said that in spite of concerns expressed by Turkey, the project was not at risk: “The project will be of mutual benefit and will ensure a reliable supply of energy to Slovenia and other European countries.” Mr Putin said that, in addition to a reliable energy supply, food supply was also very important for Slovenia, therefore proposing that in October, this year, an international conference on safe and sustainable food supply be organised. Prime Minister Putin also expressed his gratitude for Slovenian care of the Russian memorial chapel at Vršič and announced an imminent opening of the Russian cultural centre in the capital of Slovenia. Concluding his statement, Prime Minister Putin expressed his satisfaction that the talks with the Slovenian Prime Minister were very fruitful and thanked him for the hospitality extended during his visit.

 

(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/SPA, source: GCO)

 

The purpose of the visit is to pursue and enhance political dialogue between the two states at both bilateral and multilateral levels as well as to provide opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation. In discussing bilateral relations, a special emphasis was placed on fostering cooperation in the economic and cultural fields. In the multilateral area, the attention was primarily focused on opportunities for strengthening cooperation between the two states within the framework of international organisations, and exchanging views on topical European and international issues, including the issue of international security and security structures as well as topical regional issues.

 

(Photo: Stanko Gruden/SPA, source: GCO)

 

During his visit, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation was accompanied by a sizeable delegation, including the Minister of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Slovenian-Russian Commission for Trade and Economic and Scientific and Technological Co-operation, Igor Olegovich Shchegolev, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Sergei Ivanovich Shmatkó, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Elena Borisovna Skrynnik and representatives of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and some representatives of the Russian economy.

 

(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/SPA, source: GCO)