On 14 May 2007, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, is paying an official visit to the Republic of Poland. The PM will be accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Andrej Vizjak, and a delegation of some forty business representatives. The aim of the visit is to exchange opinions on the possibilities of strengthening bilateral relations and deepening the dialogue on common Euro-Atlantic issues in the light of Slovenia's presidency of the EU in the first half of 2008.

 

Economic cooperation will be the main focus of bilateral relations, as Poland ranks high among Slovenia's partners. With Slovenian investments in Poland amounting to €133.4 million, the country is fifth on the list of Slovenia's target markets. In Poland, there are some thirty Slovenian or Slovenian-Polish companies. Some of them are market leaders within their respective branches, while all expect production and growth to continue in the future. Trade in goods between the two countries has also increased (2005/2006: +31.5%), amounting to nearly €800 million in 2006. Both Slovenia's imports and exports increased steadily (+25% and +34.6% in comparison to 2005, respectively), and the trade surplus has remained in favour of Slovenia. Trade in services, on the other hand, is more modest (2006: 63%); however, trends are positive (+26%).

 

The Slovenian business representatives will attend a Slovenian-Polish business conference, where they will have an opportunity for individual meetings with their Polish business partners. On behalf of Slovenia, the conference will be opened by the minister of economy Andrej Vizjak.

 

In fifteen years of diplomatic relations, Slovenia and Poland, partner countries in the EU and NATO, have developed a friendly and open political dialogue as partners in Central Europe. In the near future, the relations will be also affected by Slovenia's presidency of the EU. Slovenia will thus be very interested in Poland's views on the future of the EU. The meeting will also be an opportunity to exchange opinions on those EU topics to which either Slovenia or Poland pay particular attention. Slovenia is interested in Poland's views on the situation in her neighbouring countries, the future development of relations with countries form this part of the EU, certain security issues relevant to the region, and opinions on Europe's energy security. Slovenia is ready for an open dialogue on current events in her neighbourhood, and particularly issues of stability and development in the Western Balkans.

 

The Slovenian MP will be received by the Polish Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Aleksander Kaczyński, the Speaker of the Sejm, Ludwik Dorn, and the Marshal of the Senate of Poland, Bogdan Borusewicz.

 

Programme of the official visit

 

Monday, 14 May 2007 

10:05	Arrival of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, the official delegation and the business delegation by air to the Okęcie International Airport in Warsaw
11:30	Arrival of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, in a motorcade at Parkowa Villa, followed by a reception with military honours
11:45	Tête-à-tête meeting between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Jarosław Kaczyński   Venue: Parkowa Villa
12:05	Plenary discussions of the delegation of the Republic of Slovenia, and the delegation of the Republic of Poland, chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland   Venue: Parkowa Villa
13:10 – 13:30	Press statements by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland   Venue: Parkowa Villa
13:40	Laying of a wreath on the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier
14:00	Lunch, hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Jarosław Kaczyński, in honour of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, and the delegation   Venue: Palace on the Water, Łazienki Park
16:00	Reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Aleksander Kaczyński   Venue: Presidential Palace, Blue Salon
16:45	Meeting with the Speaker of the Sejm, Ludwik Dorn   Venue: Polish Sejm
17:15	Meeting with the Marshal of the Senate of Poland, Bogdan Borusewicz   Venue: Polish Senate
18:10  – 18:30	Meeting of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia with the Slovenian business delegation   Venue: VIP Salon at the Okęcie International Airport in Warsaw