Minister Kajzer at Dubrovnik Forum: good neighbourly relations are our foreign policy priority

SLOVENIA, June 27 - At the start of the forum, the Minister underlined that dialogue, cooperation and an open exchange of perspectives become more important than ever in times of significant geopolitical change. Such events make it possible to align positions, deepen cooperation, particularly with neighbouring countries, and strengthen trust between partners. Quiet yet active diplomacy means that Slovenia is responsibly representing its interests, strengthening partnerships and contributing to the search for common solutions to challenges that affect our shared future.

Minister Kajzer spoke at the panel discussion titled “One Sea, Many Partners:  A Mediterranean that Delivers for All”, in which he emphasised that in the modern world almost everything has become a means of geopolitical pressure – trade, tariffs, connectivity and disruptions in supply chains: “We must strengthen European strategic connectivity. By linking the three key ports of the Northern Adriatic – Trieste, Koper and Rijeka - we can provide Europe with faster and more secure access to global markets. By investing in transport corridors and infrastructure, we are strengthening European security, resilience and long-term prosperity." Minister Kajzer also highlighted the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) in Piran, which promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience while connecting people: “Everything begins and ends with people.” 

At a working lunch, Minister Kajzer also met the foreign ministers of member states of the informal group of Mediterranean countries (MED9), which Croatia chairs this year. Together with the foreign ministers of Croatia and Italy, he agreed on the need to encourage Europe’s competitiveness, with emphasis on connecting ports in the Northern Adriatic.

Slovenia promotes closer cooperation within regional and informal initiatives, including the Three Seas Initiative, as these complement European policies and contribute to greater security, resilience and connectivity across Europe. Furthermore, Minister Kajzer stressed the meaning of the Global Gateway initiative, EU enlargement and cooperation in education.

On the margins of the forum, he also held a number of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and other high officials. Among others, he met with foreign ministers of Croatia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Albania, Montenegro, Georgia and Andorra, Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council.

The Minister also attended the Statehood Day of the Republic of Slovenia celebrations and the presentation of a poetry collection organised by the Slovenian cultural association Lipa Dubrovnik. In his address, he stressed: “Slovenians across the world are an important link between Slovenia and the countries you live in. I am incredibly grateful for everything you do to keep the Slovene language, culture and connection to your homeland alive. Croatia is our neighbouring country. A good neighbour is extremely valuable, which is why strengthening relations with neighbouring countries is one of the foreign policy priorities of the current Government of the Republic of Slovenia. However, relations between countries are not just relations between institutions. They are primarily based on people. Through your work you give these relations substance, life and the right tone. Thank you for everything you do for Slovenia and to protect the Slovene language among fellow Slovenians in Croatia.”

At the invitation of the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, he also attended a working dinner of high state representatives.