We, the Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Italian Republic, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic reiterate our continued support for the Western Balkans on their European path. The EU enlargement process has a positive transformative power in the Western Balkans and is an investment in peace and stability in Europe. It is essential to ensure the overall progress of the region. The EU needs to fulfil its unambiguous commitment to the Western Balkans European integration. There is no “plan B”.

David Brozina, Director-General for EU Affairs, and Slovenian Ambassador to Greece Anita Pipan attended the official opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Thessaloniki. This is the first Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Greece, with jurisdiction over the entire north of Greece. Thessaloniki, the second largest Greek city and a major port, is the economic centre of this rapidly developing region.

Political consultations between the foreign ministries of Slovenia and Switzerland at the level of directors general for European affairs took place today at Brdo pri Kranju. David Brozina and Pietro Piffaretti devoted special attention to bilateral cooperation, economic and regional cooperation, EU issues, with special focus on EU–Switzerland relations, and topical international issues.

The first day of the Three Seas Initiative Business Forum, held under the aegis of the Prime Minister at Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, focused on connectivity along four key dimensions of the initiative: energy, transport, digitisation, and innovation. At the presidential panel, chaired by Slovenian President Borut Pahor, presidents of participating countries discussed geopolitical and transition challenges in the area of the EU spanning the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar today met Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, who is paying an official visit to Slovenia. The constructive talks focused on bilateral relations, enhanced cooperation within NATO, EU enlargement, and Montenegro's progress on its path towards the EU, as well as regional cooperation and the situation in the region.