Joint statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as “the United Kingdom”) and the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Slovenia (hereinafter referred to as “Slovenia”).
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar.
introduction
1. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and the United Kingdom. We celebrate this moment by deepening our relationships. As enduring partners sharing European history, liberal and democratic values and mutual interests, we are committed to working together to promote these values globally. We resolve to develop our excellent relations, friendship and cooperation on foreign and security policy, climate change, economic issues and on science, technology, education and culture, through government, business and civil society.
2. With this joint statement, we look forward to an even closer partnership underpinned by the UK-Slovenia Bilateral Strategy. The strategy will guide and strengthen our bilateral and international cooperation and reaffirm our commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
3. As a member state of the European Union, Slovenia supports continued cooperation between the EU and the UK.
Foreign policy and security cooperation
4. The UK and Slovenia will develop a common approach to foreign and security policy, as part of a global freedom network. Our approach will be based on deeper economic, technological, security and development linkages, including in areas such as cybersecurity, strategic communications and climate change.
5. We will deepen our bilateral defense cooperation and, as committed NATO allies, we will cooperate closely in multilateral organizations in pursuit of our common interests and our commitment to defending the international order. rules-based.
6. We will work together to promote stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans, ensuring the maintenance of hard-won peace, freedom and democracy. We will continue to support reform efforts in the region to achieve tangible progress in the rule of law, democratic and socio-economic reforms and to move the region forward on its Euro-Atlantic path.
7. We will explore opportunities to enhance bilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation, complementing the ongoing cooperation between the two countries through the UK-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. the EU. This includes deepening cooperation through existing mechanisms, such as INTERPOL, and exploring ways to improve law enforcement and data sharing. We will work together to fight serious organized crime, sharing our expertise and analysis.
8. We will strengthen police cooperation to tackle the drivers and enablers of immigration-related organized crime by breaking the business model of gangs and organized crime groups.
Economic cooperation
9. We are committed to strengthening economic cooperation between the UK and Slovenia, working even more closely to develop bilateral trade and investment. We will facilitate business opportunities and joint partnerships, promoting the green transition and the phase-out of coal, both nationally and internationally.
10. We will identify and create opportunities for economic cooperation in defense and security to help strengthen regional security, address existing and new threats, and strengthen and preserve freedom and democracy.
11. We will build stronger links between our business communities and work together to forge partnerships using our respective strengths in research and innovation, technology, digitalization and renewable energy. We will create an environment that promotes digital trade, mutual investment and closer ties between start-ups and entrepreneurs.
12. We commit to further promote tourism through information exchange, especially around business-to-business tourism events.
Science, education and culture
13. We will encourage and strengthen existing institutional cooperation in the fields of science, technology, education and culture.
14. We will share best practices and strengthen links between our higher education institutions and encourage closer institutional cooperation between the research, science and innovation communities. We will build on the excellent collaboration between academic partnerships and support educational exchanges to encourage the flow of talent and ideas.
15. We commit to further strengthen people-to-people links and support the rights of UK and Slovenian nationals protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, in collaboration with our respective diasporas.
16. We will work together to promote cultural exchanges, including closer cooperation through cultural and sporting ties.
17. We will work together to strengthen parliamentary ties building on the work of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Governance
18. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia will be responsible for this joint statement. We will hold dialogues twice a year to assess progress. Dialogues will take place at the level of senior government officials.
Signed in London, on February 23, 2022 in the English and Slovenian languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and Northern Ireland
