Slovenian President Pahor received British Foreign Secretary Hammond

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today received the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Philip Hammond. They noted with satisfaction that Slovenia and the United Kingdom enjoy friendly bilateral relations and have expressed their support for further strengthening of ties between the two countries at all levels in economy, culture, education, science and sports as well as with respect to issues concerning the European Union and other international organisations.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA

President Pahor and Foreign Secretary Hammond focused their discussion on the issue of how to increase the prosperity of the Member States within a common EU framework. Foreign Secretary Hammond outlined the UK’s aspirations for certain changes to be made as a result of in-depth discussions in all Member States. They both pointed out that institutions’ operations should be strengthened and priority focus given to the economic growth and employment by further developing the single EU market.

They touched upon other issues of foreign relations, including the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Western Balkans. Foreign Secretary Hammond reiterated his commitment to greater engagement in finding solutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of the process presented in a joint letter he drafted together with the German Foreign Minister. President Pahor pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina needed political engagement and support on its path to Euro–Atlantic integration. He acquainted the Foreign Secretary with Slovenia’s activities within the Brdo Process initiative and its contribution to resolving outstanding bilateral and regional issues regarding the Western Balkans region.

Foreign Secretary Hammond presented Britain’s position on Ukraine and expressed his support to Slovenia’s clear and balanced standpoint on the conflict in East Ukraine.