State Secretary Leskovar in China for political consultations

28. 11. 2019

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On 28 November, Vice Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Qin Gang hosted State Secretary Simona Leskovar for political consultations as part of regular Slovenia-China dialogue. The last consultations took place in February 2017.

State Secretary Simona Leskovar and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Bilateral political and economic relations are positive and well-established, the two high officials agreed. China remains Slovenia's foremost Asian economic partner, with the 17+1 initiative an essential tool for enhancing cooperation in various areas.

The State Secretary pointed to the importance of mutual visits and meetings scheduled for the following months. She outlined the plans for the Creative Forum, which will be hosted by Slovenia in September 2020 as part of the 17+1 initiative. The Forum will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions and enhanced cooperation on innovation, design and creativity, and their relevance for industry.

In light of the upcoming top-level political meetings, the interlocutors addressed the developments in the world and their respective neighbourhoods, and cooperation within international organisations and multilateral forums. They went on to exchange views on the importance of multilateralism, the role of the Human Rights Council in protecting and promoting human rights, and the global economic situation.

At a juncture when the EU's new leadership has taken office and in the context of Slovenia's preparations for the EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2021, State Secretary Leskovar underlined the need to continue close cooperation between the EU and China.

During the consultations in Beijing, the State Secretary also met the Deputy Minister of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Qian Hongshan, and the President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, Wang Chao.

The State Secretary will also participate in the official opening of the Slovene language department of the Foreign Languages Library at the Beijing International Studies University on 29 November. On this occasion, she will present the Library with the first official translation of the Geneva Conventions into Slovene, published this year in the International Law collection in two volumes by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence.