Minister Dr Cerar with Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó on enhancing cooperation between the two neighbouring countries

3. 9. 2019

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The afternoon discussions at the Bled Strategic Forum were dedicated to multilateralism. The panellists, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borell Fontelles, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Slovenian Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar, exchanged views on the importance of effective multilateralism and finding common solutions to global problems, and on the role of small countries in these efforts.

Dr Miro Cerar and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó

The ministers reaffirmed the partner relations and regular political contacts between the two countries, and advocated continuing the constructive dialogue on guaranteeing the rights of national communities on both sides of the border. They underlined the positive trends in economic cooperation, with Hungary being Slovenia’s sixth largest foreign trade partner, and the need to create favourable conditions for opening up investment opportunities. Special attention was devoted to the progress achieved in particular cross-border infrastructure projects and, in terms of energy independence and connectivity, to the significance of electricity and gas transmission lines between the two countries.

The ministers also exchanged views on effective migration management, EU enlargement process and current developments in the Western Balkans. Slovenia and Hungary share many similar views; both support a credible EU enlargement scenario and are aware of the importance of the stability and development in the region.