President Drnovšek receives Russian foreign minister
Brdo by Kranj, 09/12/2003 | press release
President Drnovšek received Igor Ivanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at Brdo pri Kranju today. Mr Ivanov is on an official visit to Slovenia. Mr Ivanov opened their talks by conveying greetings from President Putin to the Slovenian president. He also expressed Russia’s satisfaction at the active mutual cooperation that the two countries have achieved in accordance with political agreements at the highest level. He assessed that there existed realistic opportunities for cooperation between the countries to deepen in all areas, especially economically. He pointed out the significance that the Russian Federation and other interested parties attribute to the initiative to found the Forum of Slavic Cultures in Ljubljana.
President Drnovšek expressed his satisfaction at the friendly relations that Slovenia and Russia enjoyed. He recalled his recent visit to St. Petersburg and his last meeting with President Putin, which he said had been a most pleasant occasion. He also recalled that today was the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation that he had signed last year as prime minister together with the Russian Prime Minister, Mr Kasjanov. He expressed the desire that economic cooperation be as wide-ranging as possible, since Slovenia saw Russia as an important and long-term partner. He agreed that the founding of the Forum of Slavic Cultures was very significant and expressed his conviction that in the new Europe that was uniting, there was a need to retain a focus on the countries that lie on its margins.
The two statesmen exchanged views on the EU enlargement process and EU-Russia relations. They also discussed the situation in South-Eastern Europe and other current issues in international relations, especially Iraq. Mr Ivanov said that Russia earnestly wanted a solution to be found that would unite the strength of the international community in stabilising the country.
President Drnovšek concluded his talks with the Russian foreign minister by renewing the initiation to President Putin to make an official visit to Slovenia.