 The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, received the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, who is proceeding with her official visit to the Republic of Slovenia, which she had to cut short last December due to urgent political obligations in Canada. After being received with military honours, Governor General Jean had a one-to-one meeting with Dr Türk, followed by plenary talks between the delegations of Slovenia and Canada, led, respectively, by Dr Türk and Ms Jean.
Dr Türk assessed relations between the two countries as excellent, stressing that there are many opportunities for building on this. He recalled Canada's support for Slovenia's joining NATO and the constructive co-operation of the two countries in several international initiatives. He highlighted Canada’s experience in the areas of multiculturalism and the integration of different ethnic communities – indigenous and traditional and those resulting from immigration. He said that the European Union lacked such experience and that, in developing integration models, it could learn a great deal from Canadian examples. He added that Slovenia appreciated Canada's role in the international community and its initiatives in the areas of human rights, peacekeeping operations, demining and other humanitarian activities. |
 Governor General Jean also agreed that relations between Slovenia and Canada were excellent, and argued that new forms of co-operation between the two countries be explored. She expressed respect for the great achievements of the young Slovenian state in the short period since its independence. She confirmed that Canada was a country of diversity, in which different ethnic communities lived side by side in harmony and mutual respect, and that this, in her words, is an important part of the Canadian identity. She also referred to the role of Slovenian migrants to Canada, expressing appreciation for their contribution to Canada’s development.
The two speakers undertook to enhance the economic co-operation between the two countries, which is currently relatively modest. Dr Türk highlighted, in particular, opportunities in the area of logistics, drawing attention to Slovenia’s strategic position in Central Europe. Governor General Jean highlighted opportunities for linking the Canadian port of Halifax with the Slovenian port of Koper. She proposed that Canadian businessmen should be better informed of the business opportunities arising from co-operation with Slovenia. |
 Also included in the discussions were the possibilities of strengthening co-operation in science and higher education, with the two sides agreeing that, in the current uncertain situation, investment in knowledge is of paramount importance. The Youth Mobility Agreement, which is to be signed by Slovenia and Canada as part of the official visit, will also contribute to this goal.
Dr Türk and Ms Jean also discussed co-operation within the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) and on humanitarian projects. Dr Türk outlined the Slovenian project to rehabilitate children who suffered serious injuries and disability during the clashes in the Gaza Strip in January. |
 The situation in Afghanistan was also discussed. Governor General Jean said that she had recently visited Afghanistan, where she heard the views of Afghan children and representatives of civil society. The two shared the view that, in tackling problems in Afghanistan, Afghan solutions should be developed, and that this required persistence. Dr Türk highlighted the issue of the legitimacy of the Afghan state’s authority as the central issue.
Their talks also focused on the international "Alliance of Civilizations" initiative. President Türk invited Governor General Jean to take part in this initiative, since Canada has a wealth of valuable experience in the integration of ethnic communities. |
 Ms Jean was also interested to know what progress has been made on settling the border dispute between Slovenia and Croatia. Dr Türk explained that the two countries were currently at a very sensitive stage of the talks, in which they were trying to come to an agreement on the signature of the arbitration agreement. |