Ministers Logar and Huitfeldt expressed their satisfaction for the excellent and friendly relations between the two countries, established over nearly 30 years of cooperation, particularly in the multilateral and security fields, human rights, promotion peace and democracy, gender equality and within the European economy. Area. Both countries are supporters of effective multilateralism and share many similar positions on current international issues. Minister Logar informed his Norwegian colleague of Slovenia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The ministers discussed possibilities for further deepening economic cooperation, where Slovenia sees untapped potential in environmental technologies, electromobility, artificial intelligence, ICT, circular economy, defense industry, tourism and sports investments.
They then discussed additional plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic and devoted some attention to cooperation under the Norwegian and EEA financial mechanisms, which form the basis of bilateral cooperation. Norway is a strong ally and trustworthy partner of the EU, despite not being its member state. Both countries aspire to a secure, unified and strong EU, guaranteeing internal, economic and social security. Minister Logar also presented to his colleague the main achievements of the second Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The talks continued with an exchange of views on current European issues, notably the Schengen area, migration and the Green Deal. Regarding the Western Balkans, the ministers agreed that to maintain the stability, security and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the Western Balkan states, the main focus should be on job creation and economic growth in the region.
Addressing current international issues, Ministers Logar and Huitfeldt exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, China and the Russian Federation, and discussed at length security and cooperation issues within NATO and the importance of transatlantic cooperation. which constitutes one of the priorities of the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU.
Minister Logar also met with Ine Eriksen Søreide, Chair of the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. They discussed current foreign policy developments in the international community, with a focus on the Western Balkans and relations with the Russian Federation, and discussed Slovenia’s candidacy for the non-permanent seat on the Security Council. UN security.
Today’s visit by Minister Logar to Norway is the first bilateral visit by a Slovenian Foreign Minister to Norway in 18 years.
