Later, ministers Çavuşoğlu and Cerar held a separate meeting, where they reaffirmed the good relations between the two countries based on the 2011 Strategic Partnership Agreement. Economic cooperation between Slovenia and Turkey is increasing, but there is still untapped potential, they agreed.  Slovenia is in favour of the EU’s continued accession negotiations with Turkey. According to Minister Cerar, Slovenia – in the framework of the EU – is striving to continue the dialogue with Turkey to find solutions to the outstanding issues, with a special emphasis on the importance of European values, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Slovenia also appreciates Turkey’s role and efforts in resolving the migration and refugee crisis. 

On the margins of the Forum, Minister Cerar also met with Nikola Dimitrov, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia. The two counterparts agreed on the excellent bilateral relations and diversified cooperation, confirming mutual interest in enhancing political and economic ties. The main topic of discussion was North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, with Minister Cerar reassuring his colleague of Slovenia’s continued support for North Macedonia’s EU path. Slovenia welcomes the European Commission’s assessment of North Macedonia’s meeting the requirements to open membership negotiations and will continue to support a decision on the launch of negotiations this October. The ministers also touched on current internal political developments in North Macedonia and South-Eastern Europe.