NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor hosts Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann on a working visit to Slovenia

The Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Werner Faymann, is currently on a working visit to Slovenia at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor.

 

After official talks held at Brdo Castle, both leaders agreed that relations between the two countries were excellent, with a number of high-level visits additionally contributing to deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries, which wish to be not only neighbours but also friends.

 

(Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 

Prime Minister Pahor highlighted Slovenia’s accession to the European Union as an additional step towards and opportunity for enhancing mutual trust between the two countries, adding that “the Slovenian national minority in Austria is not only a bridge, but has also become an important actor in relations between the two countries”.
 
At today’s meeting, Mr Pahor and Mr Faymann devoted significant attention to economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as to strengthening Slovenian investment in the Austrian market and vice versa. They stressed that, despite the difficult economic situation, economic cooperation between the two countries was good and stable, but agreed that it can be further improved. They also touched on the problems and opportunities that are emerging in these very difficult economic times. In this regard, Prime Minister Pahor highlighted, in particular, the importance of Austria as one of Slovenia’s main export partners.

 

(Foto: Bor Slana/Bobo) 

In their talks, Mr Pahor and Mr Faymann also touched on the issue of national minorities. In this connection, Mr Pahor pointed out that “the implementation of Article 7 of the Austrian State Treaty is the commitment by Austria, and Slovenia has the right and duty to demand it.” He went on to add that the implementation of the Treaty would additionally improve the already excellent neighbourly relations, since it would resolve one of the very important outstanding issues. Mr Faymann gave assurances that, despite the recession, the Austrian Government would increase the amount of funds earmarked for the Slovenian national minority.

 

The two leaders also devoted particular attention to the European Union. They exchanged views on the key issues facing the EU, including the Lisbon Treaty and its implications on the future of the EU.

 

(Foto: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

As part of the visit, Mr Pahor and Mr Faymann visited the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance at Ig, where they were informed in more detail of the operation of the fund. They also attended a brief presentation and were given a tour of the local museum.