State Secretary Raščan, who also acts as Minister for Development Cooperation, briefed both European Commissioners on the work of the Slovenian Presidency in relation to development cooperation and humanitarian aid, with a particular emphasis on water. They went on to exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan. State Secretary Raščan stressed the need to assist the people in Afghanistan and those who have fled to nearby countries as soon as possible and in the spirit of the Team Europe approach. At the recent Afghanistan humanitarian conference, Slovenia allocated EUR 300,000 for food and to help displaced people in the country and refugees.

State Secretary Raščan and Commissioner Urpilainen also discussed digitalisation and the “Team Europe” initiative on the digital alliance between the EU and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, and where possibilities might lie for Slovenia to cooperate in the project with its experience in research activities