Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, today met with his Slovenian counterpart, Foreign Minister, Dr. Anže Logar, during his visit to Ireland.
Slovenia currently holds the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers and Minister Logar was visiting in this context to discuss Slovenia’s Presidency priorities. Minister Logar and Minister Coveney also participated together in a ceremony formally re-opening the Slovenian Embassy in Dublin.
Minister Coveney said “I am pleased to welcome Minister Logar to Dublin and was delighted to jointly open the Slovenian Embassy with him today. This is an important opportunity for us to reinforce the connections between our two countries and to share perspectives as we discuss significant EU and international issues, including those which Ireland is currently addressing as a Member of the UN Security Council.”
Minister Logar also met with Thomas Byrne, TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, who said “Although Slovenia is a country geographically distant from Ireland, it is one with which we enjoy warm bilateral relations and have always collaborated effectively together on many EU issues. We look forward to working closely with our Slovenian colleagues during their EU Presidency to promote our shared EU values.”
The Slovenian EU Presidency emphasised the importance of unity and solidarity among EU Member States. Slovenia looks forward to working with Ireland on strengthening bilateral relations and mutual cooperation in international fora.
The Ministers discussed a wide range of issues including Slovenia’s priorities for its EU Presidency, EU Enlargement and the Western Balkans, Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council, the Conference on the Future of Europe, Rule of Law, Transatlantic relations, the COVID-19 situation and Belarus.
ENDS
Press Office
15 July 2021
