Minister Fajon was joined by Dr Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and Dr Uroš Kerin of ELES, Coordinator of the Slovenian Hydrogen Consortium. The meetings focused on opportunities for increased economic and scientific cooperation, with a particular emphasis on green hydrogen. Slovenia and Japan already successfully implemented a three-year project on smart grids and smart cities, and building on this positive experience, the two countries could work together again to create a low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem.

"Renewed cooperation between Slovenia and Japan in the field of hydrogen would represent a successful joining of forces between the two countries towards a zero-carbon society. We are working together in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on climate security and finding solutions to climate change. In this context, the project would provide a joint solution that would put the goals of the green transition into practice. I am always pleased when diplomacy helps open doors to economic, scientific and development success stories," said Minister Fajon after the meetings. Minister Papič added: "As we work to implement one of the largest international demonstration projects, we are keen to deepen the Slovenian-Japanese partnership, which has a long history of success. We had great success with a previous development project in the field of smart grids, in which I also participated as an expert, and even won the award for the best project in this field on a global scale."

After Japan, Minister Fajon will travel to China, where she will start her official visit on Wednesday, accompanied by the largest Slovenian business delegation ever, consisting of more than 45 Slovenian companies.