Press Release

Visit of MOS Smt. Preneet Kaur to Slovenia

01/09/2009

The Minister of State for External Affairs Smt. Preneet Kaur visited Slovenia from 30th August to 1st September, 2009. Apart from addressing the Bled Strategic Forum on the subject of ‘New Global Governance for the 21st Century’ in the Leader’s Panel on 30th August, Smt. Kaur also held bilateral discussions with Slovene leaders. She called on the President of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Tuerk. She also met with Foreign Minister Mr. Samuel Zbogar and separately held discussions with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Dragoljuba Benèina. In all these discussions the steadily growing bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed apart from exchanging views on international issues. Both sides also welcomed the decision by Slovenia to upgrade its representation in India to Ambassador level which will take place very soon. The importance of continuing regular high level visits and holding the next Foreign Office Consultations soon were stressed.

On trade and economic issues both sides welcomed the significant growth seen in bilateral trade figures in the first five months of the year even in a difficult period. Both sides looked forward to the holding of the next Joint Economic Committee meeting in Ljubljana on 28 and 29 September. The participation of India for the first time in the International Trade Fair in Celje, Slovenia, when 14 small scale companies will display their products was also welcomed. It was agreed to undertake further similar initiatives by each side in the future.

Discussions during the meetings also stressed the importance of strengthening ICPE under the new Director General Dr. Salej. The need for an early conclusion of the Headquarters Agreement was also stressed.

Smt. Kaur also met with members of the Slovene Parliament’s Friendship Group with India and invited them to visit India later in the year for which dates will be finalized soon.

During Smt. Kaur’s visit, she also witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the University of Ljubljana for the establishment of a Hindi Chair in the University with effect from 1st October, 2009.

New Delhi
September 01, 2009