"During the EU Presidency, Slovenia will do everything to see that concrete progress is achieved in negotiations with Turkey," said the Slovenian PM on his official visit to Ankara, adding that Ljubljana was well aware that such measures entailed a consensus among member states. PM Janez Janša visited Turkey following an invitation by the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The aim of the visit to the EU candidate country, which took place just ahead of Slovenia's EU Presidency, was to discuss the negotiating process between Turkey and the EU, strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, and exchange opinions on current international issues.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
After the talks with his host, the Slovenian PM said that after 15 years, relations between the two countries were still friendly, with intensive dialogue on various levels. PM Janez Janša expressed gratitude for Turkey's support for Slovenia’s membership in various international organisations, especially NATO and the OECD.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The PMs also discussed Slovenia's forthcoming EU Presidency. The Republic of Slovenia supports the enlargement process, but according to Mr Janša, the implementation of the Reform Treaty is necessary in order for it to continue successfully. The beginning of ratification processes will coincide with Slovenia's Presidency, which will be closely monitoring it. The Slovenian public supports Turkey's accession to the EU, which was corroborated by a recent Eurobarometer poll. PM Janez Janša said that the negotiation process between Turkey and the EU, which is already under way, was demanding, yet beneficial for both sides, adding that the latest progress report reflected the current state of affairs in a balanced way. "I believe that the Turkish Government will continue with reforms and the implementation of the acquis. As the presiding member state, the Republic of Slovenia will strive towards progress in the negotiation process," said PM Janez Janša.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The PMs also exchanged views on current international, security and political issues. Mr Janša said that Slovenia appreciated Turkey's role as a factor of stability in the region. "The Turkish Prime Minister informed me about the situation on the border with Iraq in the southeast of the country. We condemn the violence caused by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), extend our condolences to the relatives of all victims, and express solidarity with all who have been injured The European Union is counting on a peaceful resolution of the conflict – with the cooperation of both the Turkish and Iraqi Governments. The Iraqi Government must become capable of and responsible for ensuring control over its territory," stressed the Slovenian PM, adding that Slovenia and Turkey shared a common interest in and responsibility for stability in the Western Balkans. In his view, the situation in the region will be one of the key challenges awaiting Slovenia during its EU Presidency.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The PM, who was accompanied by the foreign minister, Dimitrij Rupel, the economic minister, Andrej Vizjak, and a delegation of 44 representatives of Slovenian companies and institutions, said that economic cooperation between the two countries was good. Both the PM and his host agreed that despite increasing trade in goods and services, ample opportunities remain. The Slovenian side sees potential in intensifying mutual investment, trade, tourism, transport and logistics, to which end it stressed the role of the Port of Koper. Also encouraging and promising is a new deal between Slovenian and Turkish railways on establishing a new connection between Ljubljana and Istanbul.
At a Turkish-Slovenian business conference, which was organised to strengthen bilateral cooperation, both Slovenian and Turkish business representatives expressed great interest and the conviction that the event would open up new business opportunities. "We see great potential in investment cooperation in the future. Given the positive economic trends in Turkey, the country is appealing to a number of Slovenian direct investors. Likewise, Turkish investors are welcome in Slovenia, where they can count on a qualified and diligent workforce," said the PM.
PM Janez Janša and the Turkish President Abdullah Gül (Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
On the occasion of the official visit, the countries signed five bilateral contractual arrangements which expand the legal framework to facilitate stronger cooperation in agriculture, health and medicine, information and communication technologies, diplomacy and academic institutions.
Slovenian PM also met the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal Toptan (Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
In the afternoon, PM Janez Janša met the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal Toptan, and the Turkish President Abdullah Gül. The latter commended Slovenia's progress since joining the EU and NATO, and discussed with the PM the situation in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Western Balkans. Mr Janša took the opportunity to express support for the progress the Republic of Turkey has made in the negotiation process with the EU.
