By Publisher | Lee Jon-young

Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin had a meeting and then luncheon on June 30 with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, who was on an official visit to Korea from June 28 to July 1. 

During the meeting, the two sides extensively discussed Korea-Slovenia relations, substantive cooperation, cooperation on the international stage, and key regional issues, among others. 

Foreign Minister Park, attaching significance to the active high-level exchanges between Korea and Slovenia over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, noted with appreciation that the opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Korea had served as an important milestone in the development of bilateral ties.  

Foreign Minister Fajon underlined that Slovenia had established the permanent mission in Korea in consideration of the importance of the former’s relationship with the latter who shares universal values, and expressed hope for an early establishment of a Korean Embassy in Slovenia. 

The two Foreign Ministers appreciated the steady growth in the bilateral trade volume since the outbreak of COVID-19 despite difficult global economic circumstances. Foreign Minister Park voiced hope that Foreign Minister Fajon’s visit to Korea would serve as an opportunity to fulfill the potential of bilateral economic cooperation. In response, Foreign Minister Fajon conveyed hope for closer cooperation with Korea in such sectors as high technologies, the digital area and automobiles.

The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to work together for the memorandum of understanding concluded between Busan Metropolitan City and Koper city this June to produce tangible achievements in the field of port logistics. 

With regard to the construction of nuclear power plants, Foreign Minister Park asked for Foreign Minister Fajon’s attention to and support for Korean companies so that they can to take part in new construction projects for nuclear power plants in Slovenia.

Foreign Minister Park congratulated Slovenia on joining the United Nations Security Council as a nonpermanent member. He suggested that as Korea and Slovenia are set to work together as nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council over next two years, the two cooperate closely in the body on major global issues including the nuclear and human rights issues of North Korea, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, women, cybersecurity and response to climate change.

Foreign Ministers Park and Fajon exchanged views on major regional issues including those concerning the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine. Foreign Minister Park explained the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula. 

In response, Foreign Minister Fajon stated that Slovenia, as it values multilateralism, the international law and the United Nations Charter, condemns the serial provocations by North Korea and its grave human rights situation. On that note, she reaffirmed support for the Korean government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the Ukrainian situation, agreeing to participate actively in the international community’s efforts toward an early restoration of peace and daily lives in the country.

Foreign Minister Park extended appreciation to Foreign Minister Fajon for warmly welcoming the special delegations sent to Slovenia to seek support for Korea’s bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan. He went on to ask for his Slovenian counterpart’s active role to ensure that Slovenia supports the Korean bid.