US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will be visiting Slovenia next week. The purpose of the visit is to intensify the high-level relations, which have stalled during the past few years, and to deepen the close friendly relations between the two allies and partner states, Slovenia and the USA. Another aim of the visit is to enhance the high-level bilateral political dialogue and strengthen cooperation in business and other areas.

For many people in Slovenia, life almost stopped during the declared epidemic. Despite the fact that we all contributed to the good epidemiological picture, the heaviest burden was mainly carried by the health workers – those in healthcare institutions (notably Ljubljana and Maribor university medical centres, the Golnik clinic and the Celje hospital), at 16 testing entry points for the potentially infected, in elder care homes, members of the 13 medical teams designed to help the personnel in elder care homes, epidemiologists…

At the outset, Minister Logar expressed solidarity and sympathy over the Covid-19 victims in the US.

The Slovenian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State called for further strengthening of friendly ties between the two allies and stressed the importance of close transatlantic partnership in dealing with the current pandemic. They addressed a number of topical international issues.

On 4 and 5 March 2020, a business delegation from the state of Nevada paid a visit to Slovenia. Within the scope of the Nevada Global Trade and Education Mission, the American delegation also visited Poland, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the agreements signed between the United States and Afghanistan and between the United States and the Taliban today on launching dialogue between the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to achieve a lasting peace. A firm agreement leading to a lasting peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan may only be reached through the full engagement of both sides in an inclusive dialogue aimed at finding a compromise solution.

During his working visit, State Secretary Dobran Božič held bilateral talks with representatives of the US Administration. He addressed principal issues of common interest, including bilateral political and economic cooperation, NATO, EU-US relations, and individual regional issues, with particular emphasis on the Western Balkans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses grave concern over the heightening of tensions between the US and Iran. It condemns the recent acts of violence and armed attacks in Iraq, as these may trigger further disturbances engulfing the entire region. The Ministry calls on all parties involved to de-escalate tensions and preserve peace.

Slovenia joins the European Union in condemning attacks on coalition forces fighting Da’esh in Iraq and shares the EU’s position on the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this acts and calls on Iraqi authorities to guarantee the security of diplomatic missions in the country.

State Secretary Simona Leskovar and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Europe and Holocaust Issues Matthew G. Boyse confirmed the interest in strengthening cooperation between Slovenia and the United States and exchanged positions on topical regional and international issues.

You are cordially invited to attend the opening of the exhibition Slovenians in the United States Today, which will take place on October 9th, 2019 at 1 p.m. in the park in front of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia.

State Secretary Simona Leskovar and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz advocated further strengthening of friendly and allied relations between Slovenia and the US, underlining the need for a strong Transatlantic partnership, and they went on to exchange views on current international developments.

As part of the 14th Bled Strategic Forum, State Secretary Božič met with Scottish Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Machperson. They discussed the challenges posed by Brexit and possibilities of strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the economy, tourism and sustainable development.

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.