Minister Logar participated in the debate on the Union's external relations, which placed particular emphasis on the Western Balkans, and gave the introductory speech to the fourth topic of the debate on the external relations of the plenary session. The conversation with members of the European Commission was also attended by the Minister without Portfolio, Helena Jaklitsch.

Slovenia will direct considerable attention to the European neighbourhood with a special focus on the Western Balkans. Minister Logar said that the EU enlargement was not just one of the policies, but a strategic decision of the European Union on how to strengthen security and stability both in the Union and the region. The Western Balkans is part of Europe and many of the challenges facing the region are also facing the European Union. They include migration, climate change, cyber threats, etc. Slovenia will actively promote the process of EU enlargement to the countries in the region and focus on implementing a renewed enlargement methodology, on the economic recovery of the Western Balkans, strengthening cybersecurity and the resilience of countries in the region, improving connectivity, implementing the Green Agenda, and providing a positive outlook for young people in the Western Balkans. In these efforts, Slovenia is counting on the assistance of the European Commission. Minister Logar also emphasised the expectations regarding the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which Slovenia will host on 6 October.

The high officials’ discussions also addressed the external aspects of migration. Special attention was paid to development cooperation and EU activities with an emphasis on providing a sufficient number of vaccines to those parts of the world with particularly low vaccination coverage. In this context, they emphasised the imperative for the EU to act in a spirit of solidarity.