Article

The debt crisis in some eurozone states was also on the agenda. The two sides made a clear political commitment to the euro, said the Chancellor, after talks with Prime Minister Borut Pahor.

Strengthening the stability of the euro zone

In the joint statement, Angela Merkel and Borut Pahor reaffirmed their intention of strengthening stability within the euro zone and cohesion within the European Union. All EU member states, they said, will have to become more competitive and ensure sound, sustainable financing of their public budgets by putting their financial houses in order.

The Chancellor declared, "We need closer political union as we have a common currency. We need a bit more Europe. But more than anything else we need a reliable Europe in which all members meet their obligations and do their homework."

Intensive support for Slovenia

In Slovenia the Chancellor also met President Danilo Türk and opposition leader Janez Jansa.

The Chancellor’s visit fell in the year in which Slovenia is celebrating twenty years of independence. At the end of 1991 Germany was the first EU member state to recognise Slovenia. Since then, Germany has provided Slovenia with much support for its domestic reforms and has helped pave the way for Slovenia to accede to international organisations.

In 2004, Slovenia was the first former-Yugoslavian state to join the European Union and NATO. Today it is part of the Schengen Zone and the euro zone, as well as being a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Germany most important trading partner

Germany is Slovenia’s most important trading partner and accounts for 19 percent of foreign trade. In political terms too, Germany is a key partner. In talks with the Chancellor, one major issue was how to further step up the already excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.

The following five measures were agreed: 

• Promotion of a regular political dialogue
• Consultations on current topics relating to the European Union and the foreign policy of the two states to be conducted by the bodies responsible
• An invitation to be issued to the parliaments of the two states to foster dialogue
• Continuation and further intensification of close economic contacts and promotion of economic exchange
• Strengthening cultural exchange and cooperation in the field of science, research and universities, as well as promoting the learning of the language of each country in the other state.