BILATERAL RELATIONS DISCUSSED WITH CHAIRMAN LI PENG

Ljubljana, 14 June 2000



The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kucan, met with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's National Congress of the PR of China, Li Peng, who is officially visiting Slovenia with his spouse Zhu Lin on invitation of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Podobnik.

In their talks the collocutors focused on bilateral relations. Political relations, established soon following the proclamation of independence by Slovenia as China recognised Slovenia, thus acknowledging the new reality on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, were assessed as good by the two collocutors who also discussed the issue of succession of the former Yugoslavia. They also positively assessed cooperation between the two countries during Slovenia’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Good relations allow for dialogue, cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, science, research, sports, as well as multilateral cooperation.

Slovenia respects the principle of a single China, President Kucan reassured his collocutor, and expressed his conviction that the issue of Taiwan will be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner. The President expressed his satisfaction over the fact that friendly and open relations between the two countries allow for a dialogue even on those issues which the two countries have a different view of due to different experiences and civilisational frameworks. Among such issues are human rights, a foundation and commitment of the European civilisation and the policy of the Republic of Slovenia, which have also become the universal principle of the United Nations Organisation.

President Kucan's meeting with Chairman Li Peng also offered an opportunity to discuss the future of the United Nations and the new realities in a global world where erstwhile ideological divisions are being replaced by dialogue between civilisations in a multipolar world. This dialogue, setting all differences aside, should provide peace to the world and ensure an opportunity for common development and welfare.

The collocutors also placed special emphasis on the situation in South East Europe, particularly the FRY. President Kucan informed his guest of Slovenia's views on the reasons and causes behind the crisis on former Yugoslavia, of Slovenia’s efforts in the stabilisation of the situation in SE Europe, and of the responsibility of the international community, in particular the UN, for a lasting peace and cooperation between the nations and countries in the region.