President Pirc Musar reaffirms friendship with Slovakia and visits a Slovenian Armed Forces contingent

The official visit started with a reception with military honours in front of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava. President Pirc Musar and President Čaputová then held a long, friendly conversation in private, followed by plenary talks between the delegations of the Republics of Slovenia and Slovakia, led by the two Presidents.

The Presidents, who share similar views and positions on important issues in the EU, NATO and other international organisations, reaffirmed the friendly relations between the two countries. “We value regular bilateral political dialogue at the highest level,” said the Slovenian President, expressing her satisfaction that the official presidential visit is taking place in the year of the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. They agreed that the two countries have opportunities for cooperation in a number of areas. President Pirc Musar thanked the Slovak President for Slovakia's support and assistance following the devastating floods in Slovenia in August this year, and expressed hope that cooperation with Slovakia on flood prevention measures on the banks of certain rivers in Slovenia would continue in the future.

The two Presidents exchanged their impressions and views following the COP28 climate conference, both of them being vocal advocates of environmental and climate issues. They are convinced that efforts in this area must be ambitious, joint and universal. “Climate change mitigation and adaptation will not be effective without the involvement of different stakeholders. Inclusiveness and a rights-based approach, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, are key to success,” said President Pirc Musar.

President Čaputová briefed the Slovenian President on her ambitious plans in the field of environmental protection. Slovakia will produce 55% fewer emissions in 2030 than it did in 1990. Over the next seven years, it will re-invest 5% of GDP from public funds in the decarbonisation of the economy and society, and aims to achieve a 29% share of renewables in electricity generation by 2030. President Pirc Musar expressed her strong support for these efforts and said that she would like to see the two countries working together in this area and inspiring each other.

As Slovenia and Slovakia approach the 20th anniversary of their membership of the European Union and NATO, the Presidents also spoke about the EU enlargement process and unanimously welcomed the EU's recent decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. They agreed that the decision was a strong sign of political support for the European perspective of both countries, and expressed their strong support for the Western Balkan countries in their integration into the European Union. “The European Union and NATO are the cornerstones of our economic development and security”, said Pirc Musar, stressing that the benefits of membership must be accompanied by obligations, the most important of which is the rule of law. She thanked the Slovak President for the logistical and other support provided to our troops who, in accordance with their commitments, are taking part in the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Lešť, Slovakia, and will visit them later in the day. The two Presidents also discussed other topical international issues.

During her official visit, President Pirc Musar also met with the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. The main topic of the talks was the good cooperation between the two countries in all areas. President Pirc Musar noted that Slovakia is an important foreign trade partner of Slovenia and expressed her satisfaction that in recent years there has been a steady increase in the value of trade in goods. The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation at the multilateral level and within the EU, NATO and other international organisations. President Pirc Musar thanked Prime Minister Fico in particular for his support for cooperation in the framework of the UN mission in Cyprus. This will strengthen Slovenia's engagement in the UN Security Council.

After the programme in Bratislava, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces visited the SAF contingent deployed in the international NATO Enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA) in Lešť, where she met with the base commander and the Slovenian soldiers participating in the eVA. She was briefed on their work, training and life during the mission and, as Commander-in-Chief, thanked them for their contribution to ensuring national and collective security. She wished peace and happiness to the SAF members who will spend the upcoming holidays abroad.