Minister Logar and Greek Foreign Minister Dendias on the Mediterranean, EU enlargement and integration for a stronger and more resilient Europe

3. 11. 2021

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Anže Logar is visiting Athens today, where he met with his Greek host Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs. They discussed strengthening bilateral, regional and European integration towards a stronger and more resilient Europe. The visit of Minister Logar to Greece in the light of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and its recent accession to the EU Med group in September this year is of vital importance for the country.

delegations in talks, seating around table — Foreign Minister Anže Logar met with his Greek host Nikos Dendias | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve

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Ministers Logar and Dendias exchanged views on bilateral, regional, European and other current global issues, focusing on the course and achievements of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Ministers devoted a large part of the discussion to the integration of Mediterranean countries, coordinated management of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, situation in the Western Balkans, EU enlargement, the Conference on the Future of Europe and other European topics. Minister Logar thanked his Greek colleague for his support for Slovenia’s accession to the EU Med group.

The Ministers discussed effective policies to address current and future challenges such as migration, climate change or developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. In relation to the latter, Minister Logar expressed his solidarity with Greece. They underlined the need for a joint and coordinated effort by all member states to make the Union more united, stronger and resilient to current and any future crises.

Minister Logar underscored the importance of continuing the EU enlargement and the Western Balkans' EU integration, which is a strategic interest of both Slovenia and Greece. Minister Logar took the opportunity to thank Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister Dendias for their participation at the 16th Bled Strategic Forum, as well as the participation of Prime Minister Mitsotakis at the EU-Western Balkans Summit, hosted by Slovenia on 6 October. The Ministers stressed the importance of enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, which increased significantly this year in spite of the pandemic.

Minister Logar also met with Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs Konstantinos Gioulekas and Chairman of the Committee for European Affairs Nikitas Kaklamanis. During the talks, he advocated strengthening interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The three high officials agreed that the exchange and coordination of positions between the Mediterranean member states, including at the parliamentary level, is important and necessary for the common future of the European Union.

Minister Logar was also welcomed by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who visited Slovenia in April. The Minister briefed her on the achievements of the Slovenian Presidency so far.