Minister Dr Logar at the virtual ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative on cooperation and solidarity in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis

24. 9. 2020

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar took part in the virtual ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Member States. He apprised the participants of Slovenia’s successful response to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that the general and special measures adopted by the Slovenian government to curb the epidemic remain in effect.

at audio-video conference — Minister Dr Anže Logar | Author Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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In his address, Minister Logar underscored that Slovenia places major importance on European solidarity and the integrity of the European single market, seeking a coordinated approach to lifting restrictions and restarting the European economy. Fresh challenges require the active promotion of co-operation and a joint response of the European Union to the migration and refugee crisis. In this regard, Slovenia will continue to spotlight the significant contribution of the Central European Initiative Member States.

Continuing the Union’s enlargement process to the Western Balkans is a core element of the Union’s vision. Minister Logar took pains to reiterate Slovenia’s support for the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective for Western Balkan countries, stressing that full reform implementation in the region is a precondition for their progress.

Minister Logar expressed approval for the strategic framework and action plan of the Central European Initiative, the priorities of which are centred on a knowledge-based society and on progress towards sustainable development and an inclusive society. He also welcomed the steps taken by the Secretariat to mobilise funds for extraordinary calls for proposals aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and the setting up of a CEI-WHO Task Force that continuously monitors the epidemiological situation in CEI Member States.

The conference, hosted by Dr Srdjan Darmanović, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, was also attended by six foreign ministers, four deputy ministers, seven state secretaries, CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione, Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC) Michael B. Christides, Director General of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) Grzegorz Poznański, Managing Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Mattia Romani, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, Director of the Office of the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Luca Fratini, Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Tanja Miščević, and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri P. Kluge.