NEWS

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor visits the Vatican and Italy

As a part of his current working visit, the Slovenian Prime Minister, Borut Pahor, met today with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The latter opened the meeting by thanking the Slovenian Prime Minister for the visit and the co-operation between the Government of Slovenia and the Vatican. Cardinal Bertone also offered thanks for the co-operation of the Slovenian government in arranging premises for the Apostolic Nunciature of Ljubljana and gave his support to all of Slovenia’s efforts in aiding Croatia's accession to the EU, in which, according to the cardinal, the two countries are on the right path towards finding the best solution.
 

(Foto: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 
Cardinal Bertone continued by underlining reservations of the Vatican towards the appointment of the new Director of the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Religious Communities; Prime Minister Pahor, however, guaranteed that the newly appointed head of the office would perform his function correctly and in line with policy.
 

(Foto: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 
Cardinal Bertone brought Prime Minister Pahor the greetings of Pope Benedict XVI, while Mr Pahor extended an invitation to Slovenia to the Pope, with whom he plans to meet in the near future. After the meeting, Prime Minister Pahor viewed Redemptoris Mater, the Pope’s personal chapel. As part of his visit to the Vatican, Mr Pahor also met His Eminence the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Franc Rode.
 

(Foto: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 
In the Chigi Palace, Prime Minister Pahor also met with his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, who greeted him cordially. Mr Pahor stressed the importance of the meeting and added that Italy and Slovenia are close partners. In their discussion, the two prime ministers also exchanged experiences and views on the preparation of national budgets. Prime Minister Pahor expressed his expectation that the Italian government would fulfil its obligations towards the Slovenian minority. The meeting also concerned joint entry into currently exploited foreign markets.