Jean Asselborn with Miro Cerar, PM of the Republic of Slovenia; Credit: MAEE

Today, on 24 October 2017, Luxembourg Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn undertook a working visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia.

During his visit, Minister Asselborn was received by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, and the National Assembly, Milan Brglez. He also had discussions with Prime Minister Miro Cerar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec and Interior Minister Vesna Györkös Znidar.

During Minister Asselborn’s various meetings with the Slovenian authorities, both parties reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, relations which are based on common values ​​and interests. The discussions also highlighted the potential for bilateral cooperation in the areas of ICT, trade, finance, logistics and research.

The discussions then led to a review of the main political and economic issues of European current affairs, through an exchange of views on the strategic orientations to guide the work of the EU in the coming months. Both Minister Asselborn and the Slovenian authorities insisted on the need to strengthen the internal cohesion of the EU by returning to the fundamental principles which are at the origin of the European construction. Ministers also discussed the future of the European Union, with the Minister welcoming "the deepening of our cooperation and coordination of our positions is a welcome step forward, especially in the context of the current discussions on the future of the European Union".

Regarding Brexit, the Luxembourg minister expressed his hope to see "enough progress" by December and welcomed the decision of the European Council to start preparatory discussions as a body of 27 Member States, so as to be ready for the second phase of the negotiations.

The visit also involved discussions of the EU’s migration policy, focusing in particular on the proposal to reintroduce controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area, before finally, both parties reviewed international political events and the role of the EU as a global player, its means of dealing with crises in neighbouring regions and EU foreign security issues.