Meeting between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Dr. Janez Drnovsek
Joint Press Statement
This morning the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, His Excellency Dr. Janez Drnovsek during his two-day visit to Ireland. This visit is part of the intensive preparations for Slovenias imminent membership of the European Union. In the course of their discussions, the Prime Ministers noted that Ireland and Slovenia enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Prime Minister Drnovsek had officially opened the Slovenian Embassy in Dublin on Thursday evening. Both sides welcomed this as an opportunity to further strengthen diplomatic relations between our two countries. Prime Minister Drnovsek also welcomed the recent opening of the new Irish Embassy in Ljubljana.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Drnovsek discussed Slovenias preparations for membership of the European Union as we now enter the final phase of the accession negotiations. The Taoiseach congratulated Prime Minister Drnovsek on the speed of political and economic progress in Slovenia over the past few years, noting that Slovenia is a leading candidate in the accession process.
Both sides discussed the Commissions proposals for transitional arrangements for the candidate countries including the allocation of Structural Funds. The Taoiseach indicated that Ireland would play a constructive and helpful role in the final phase of the enlargement negotiations. Both Prime Ministers looked forward to Ireland and Slovenia working together as full members of the European Union.
The Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen and develop bilateral economic relations and encourage the investment climate between Ireland and Slovenia.
The Taoiseach took the opportunity to update the Prime Minister on the Nice referendum campaign. He said that the Irish Government welcomed the joint Statement made by the 10 main candidate countries, reiterating the importance of the Nice Treaty for the accession process. Prime Minister Drnovsek stressed again the importance of the Nice Treaty.
The Taoiseach referred to the Together Fund initiated by a Foundation based in Slovenia, which aims to help the innocent child victims of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzogovina and in Kosovo, and said that Ireland would be very happy to contribute €190,000 towards this excellent initiative.
Prime Minister Drnovsek briefed the Taoiseach about relations with their neighbours in Croatia and with other countries in South Eastern Europe. The Prime Ministers also discussed the possibility of drawing up a cultural agreement between Ireland and Slovenia.
ENDS