Welcome
25 years of diplomatic relations: Foreign Ministers launch a dialogue between Germany and Slovenia
The Foreign Ministers of Germany and Slovenia met in Berlin today (9 May) to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. To mark this anniversary, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Slovene Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec signed an agreement that establishes a German-Slovene dialogue.
Commenting on this, Foreign Minister Gabriel said:
Today is a special day for German-Slovene relations, because we are celebrating an anniversary – 25 years of diplomatic ties. Since gaining independence 26 years ago, Slovenia has been a true success story. With the path it has chosen, Slovenia has demonstrated it can be both: a strong and confident nation state, as well as a strong partner working with the European Union in solidarity.
Background information
The joint statement in full:
Joint declaration of intent on the German-Slovene Dialogue, marking the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Slovenia
25 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Slovenia have closer political, economic and cultural ties than ever before. The Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia are taking this opportunity to provide a new framework for their bilateral partnership, by creating the German-Slovene Dialogue.
The Dialogue is intended to be a new institutional pillar of German-Slovene relations. It aims to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in selected areas, as well as to deepen the exchange of information and coordination between the two governments. It will serve as a forum for bilateral issues, as well as for discussing political cooperation in Europe and for conducting an exchange on international issues.
The Dialogue is designed to be conducted in a spirit of partnership, and to be inclusive. It will be held every year, with the venue alternating between Germany and Slovenia. The ministers responsible for European policy will be in charge of organising the event. The Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ljubljana and of the Republic of Slovenia in Berlin will act as coordinators. They will also be in charge of jointly determining which issues both sides wish to focus and make progress on. These can by mutual agreement be adapted and expanded on at any time.
Other ministries, as well as bilateral actors and institutions can be included in the German-Slovene Dialogue on issues in which they are involved.
