The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandroković, in Ljubljana today. The latter congratulated Mr Janša on Slovenia's successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

The Croatian Foreign Minister talked about the reform efforts his country has been making to speed up fulfilment of the criteria for joining the EU. The Prime Minister expressed Slovenia's support of the effort Croatia has invested in order to move closer to Euro-Atlantic integration, while at the same time stressing the EU’s ongoing commitment to future enlargement, despite the recent stalemate related to the Lisbon Treaty.

 

The two dignitaries also exchanged their views on bilateral relations between their countries. They acknowledged that, despite having certain open questions to deal with, the cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia covers a very broad range of areas, especially when it comes to the economy. As far as the issue on borders is concerned, Prime Minister Janša and Foreign Minister Jandroković were in favour of continuing the work of the joint commissions which were founded on the basis of an arrangement reached between the Slovenian and the Croatian Prime Ministers last year in Bled.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

Last but not least, PM Janez Janša and his guest also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, agreeing that the European perspective is a vital part of the future progress and stability of the region.