President Pahor on an official visit to Germany: Friendship between Slovenia and Germany is sincere and strong and arouses hope that together we will overcome the problems we are facing.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is paying a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, is hosting him in the town of Neustrelitz in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which is a special protocol of a state visit only organised for special guests.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA

The official reception with military honours at the Marktplatz main square in Neustrelitz was followed by a walk of both presidents towards the Kulturquartier Mecklenburg-Strelitz culture centre, where President Pahor signed his name in the city’s Golden Book in the presence of Mayor of Neustrelitz Andreas Grund and German President Steinmeier.

During the official visit to Germany, President Pahor confer upon President Steinmeier the highest state decoration of the Republic of Slovenia, the Order for Exceptional Services, for his personal merits of deepening versatile relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Germany.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA

The delegations of the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Germany led by both presidents later held plenary discussions. At the start of the discussions, the German President handed over to his Slovenian counterpart a number for attending the next Berlin Half Marathon with a wish to host him at a dinner in Berlin on the occasion.

In addition to enhancing bilateral political and economic cooperation, presidents Pahor and Steinmeier focused on the current European and international topics, particularly the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the energy and climate crises, and the enlargement of the European Union to the region of the Western Balkans.

In the press release, President Pahor initially thanked President Steinmeier and the Mayor of Neustrelitz for the invitation to such a beautiful place. He noted that, in his two terms, he has been the guest of the German President in Germany seven times, while President Steinmeier and his predecessor Gauck have visited Slovenia six times during Pahor’s term, which says a lot about Slovenia’s foreign policy orientations and Germany’s affinity towards Slovenia. The presidents confirmed excellent bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Germany and expressed their satisfaction that the political dialogue takes place regularly at all levels.

During the conversation, the discussion partners highlighted the importance of the alliance of Slovenia and Germany within the EU. "Both countries and both of us personally are very committed to the European Union and we both understand the importance of unity when facing problems of the European Union and all of its people," emphasised President Pahor.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA

On this occasion, the President of the Republic noted the significance of mutual understanding of views on important foreign policy issues and the need for regular dialogue at the highest political level. "The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is a test for all of us. Its dimensions and consequences are great," stated President Pahor. Both presidents agreed that we must help our Ukrainian friends to the best of our abilities until the negotiations of a just peace. "If peace is not just, it will not be lasting," stressed President Pahor.

The presidents also spoke about social and economic consequences of the war for European citizens. On this note, the Slovenian President highlighted that the fact that we are together in the European family reassures him. In comparison to the financial crisis, the EU responded quicker and in unison to the problems related to the COVID-19 epidemic, and it seems that it also addressed the current issues quicker, he added.

President Pahor presented to President Steinmeier certain views regarding peace and stability in the Western Balkans. He also stated that he understood that numerous countries, including Germany, wish for the Western Balkan countries to reform faster and meet the enlargement conditions, but he also stressed that the EU enlargement to the Western Balkans denoted a geopolitical issue and in this regard the EU must be more flexible and dynamic when seeking solutions.

In the conclusion, President Pahor again sincerely thanked the German President for his hospitality and everything he has done for good Slovenian-German relations. "I am certain that my successor will do everything possible to continue successful cooperation," President Pahor concluded his statement.

In the afternoon, the presidents will visit the Federal Renewable Energy Centre where they will be welcomed by Simone Oldenburg, Deputy Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Minister of Education.

Last night before the start of the official visit, President Pahor and President Steinmeier met at a private dinner.