Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
Slovenia and Iceland emphasise the importance of multilateralism and dialogue
During her working visit to Iceland, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, met with the Iceland's President, Halla Tómasdóttir, the Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, and the Speaker of Parliament, Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir. Topics discussed focused on the increasingly tense international situation, the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, the future of the European Union, and the importance of effective multilateral cooperation in the face of mounting pressure on the international legal order. Particular emphasis was also placed on the role of smaller countries in shaping global solutions.
Publish date Reykjavík,
During the discussions, President Pirc Musar emphasised that Slovenia and Iceland shared close and friendly relations based on common values and a historical friendship. She noted that Slovenia "will always appreciate Iceland's early support for Slovenian independence and its significant role in Slovenia's admission to the United Nations", adding that, as small but value-driven democracies, both countries contribute significantly to international cooperation and the defence of international law. At the meetings, President Pirc Musar paid particular attention to strengthening cooperation in areas such as the green transition, geothermal energy, innovation, artificial intelligence, and tourism.
A significant portion of the discussions was also dedicated to human rights, gender equality and strengthening multilateralism. President Pirc Musar emphasised that "effective multilateral cooperation, with the United Nations at its core, is the only credible response to the global challenges of our time". She also highlighted the importance of UN system reform, including the discussion on selecting and appointing the next United Nations Secretary-General, and the need for greater female representation in leadership positions.
In the afternoon, the presidents of Slovenia and Iceland appeared at a public event titled "The Courage to Care: Leadership in a Changing World" at Veröld House. This event had particular symbolic significance, as Veröld is home to the Vigdís International Centre for Multilingualism and Intercultural Understanding. The centre is named after Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who became the world's first democratically elected female president in 1980. The meeting took place on her birthday, 15 April. During the discussion, President Pirc Musar stressed that "the world today needs more courage to listen, more dialogue, and more responsibility towards younger generations," and highlighted the importance of empathy, cooperation, and hope as key principles of modern leadership.
