The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and current President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Mr Donald Tusk, in Ljubljana today. The meeting was devoted to further intensifying political dialogue and an exchange of views regarding issues on the Slovenian EU Presidency agenda. Special attention was paid to the current situation in the Western Balkans and the perspective for the countries of this region in terms of Euro-Atlantic groupings. PM Janša and PM Tusk also discussed the future development of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

Both Prime Ministers agreed that bilateral relations between the two countries were excellent and that cooperation had been boosted recently. In 2007, trade in goods and services had for the first time exceeded EUR 1 billion, a 20% increase compared to 2006. PM Janša qualified Poland as one of Slovenia’s most important economic partners. The Prime Minister said he was delighted to see greater numbers of Polish tourists visiting Slovenia and Slovene tourists in Poland. The excellent cooperation between the two countries is evident in other areas too. The Slovenian Prime Minister cited the example of the recently signed agreement on cooperation in the consular area.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

Both countries also enjoy excellent cooperation within the European Union and NATO. The Slovenian Prime Minister, Janez Janša, noted that Poland was an important partner within the European Union, particularly in shaping European policy towards the EU’s eastern neighbours, and added that the Polish initiative on further strengthening and upgrading the European Eastern Policy had also received support at the spring European Council meeting last week. “We have asked Poland to outline this project in greater detail and define it in terms of content. On that basis, the June European Council will take further decisions on the matter,” added PM Janša, the current European Council President.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

Both Prime Ministers also assessed the conclusions of the recently concluded European Council meeting. The Polish Prime Minister took the opportunity to commend Slovenia on its Presidency and the efforts put into carrying out its priorities. PM Janša and Mr Tusk also exchanged views on the situation in the Western Balkans. Poland has deployed peacekeeping forces in the region, especially in Kosovo. PM Janez Janša expressed regrets regarding the injuries sustained by Polish members of the UN peacekeeping forces during recent clashes in Kosovska Mitrovica. “Unfortunately, certain people who do not understand that the mission of the international forces in Kosovo is to ensure stability and protect minorities have used violence against members of international forces,” commented the Slovenian Prime Minister.

 

PM Janša and PM Tusk also discussed the NATO Summit in Bucharest in April, which is important in terms of the Alliance’s enlargement. Both Prime Ministers particularly support the inclusion of Ukraine and Georgia in the proposed plans for NATO membership. They both said that activities of this kind would, in the long run, strengthen the security situation in this part of Europe, thus improving the security situation of the European Union as a whole.