EU Presidency, Bilateral Cooperation Top FM's Meetings

Bled, 26 August

Priorities of Slovenia's stint at the helm of the EU and cooperation topped bilateral meetings that Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel held on Sunday at the sidelines of the second annual conference of the Strategic Forum Bled, the Foreign Ministry said.

Rupel and his counterpart from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sven Alkalaj, talked about Slovenia's support for the European prospects of the Western Balkans. Rupel hopes Bosnia-Herzegovina will carry out the reforms that will speed up its accession to the EU and NATO. Rupel also congratulated Alkalaj for Sarajevo getting the headquarters of the Regional Cooperation Council, which will replace the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, and for Bosnia-Herzegovina being elected to the UN Human Rights Council.
Alkalaj meanwhile thanked for the help that Bosnia-Herzegovina has been receiving from the Slovenia-based Centre for European Perspective and expressed satisfaction with the fact that European prospects of the Western Balkans would be high on the EU agenda during Slovenian presidency.
Rupel and Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki meanwhile agreed that relations between the countries, including economic, were excellent and strengthening. Rupel expressed his hope that the autumn European Commission's report will be favourable to Macedonia.
Rupel and his Cypriot counterpart Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis recognised the need for further strengthening of ties between the countries, with Rupel highlighting the importance of port of Koper for boosting economic cooperation. The pair agreed that Cypriot embassy, which opened in Ljubljana on Thursday, will contribute to better relations between Cyprus and Slovenia. Rupel also presented to Kozakou-Marcoullis the priorities of the Slovenian spell as the EU president, such as EU enlargement, climate change, energy and inter-cultural dialogue. The pair also touched on the situation in the Western Balkans and the future status of Kosovo, agreeing that unity in the EU was of key importance for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Rupel and Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, meanwhile discussed topical issues and resolving of open issues in the region. They also called for stronger cooperation during Slovenian EU presidency.

EU Presidency, Bilateral Cooperation Top FM's Meetings

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