Minister Fajon meets new German Federal Foreign Minister in Berlin
Minister Tanja Fajon and Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve
"As long-standing friendly partner countries, Slovenia and Germany have also been political, economic and strategic allies, working closely together within the European Union, NATO and other international forums. The two countries are bound by strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Today's meeting reaffirms the importance of maintaining close political dialogue at the highest level, and we continue to see great potential for further enhancing our relations," said Minister Fajon during her visit to Berlin. She also mentioned the exceptional data on bilateral cooperation with Germany, particularly in the economy: Germany is Slovenia's single most important economic partner and one of the most important investors, with further potential for cooperation in new technologies, energy and digitalization.
During the visit, the officials signed a revised Joint Plan of Action between the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Germany (2025–2028). "The ministries of both countries have identified numerous joint projects in as many as nineteen areas: from foreign policy, defence, development and economic cooperation to energy, the environment, transport, employment, as well as gender equality, long-term care of older persons, education and science, health and culture. There is virtually no area in which Slovenia and Germany do not cooperate or have joint projects and activities," Minister Fajon explained regarding the new Joint Plan of Action.
The foreign ministers of Slovenia and Germany also discussed the key challenges facing the European Union, from EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans to the green and digital transitions and the joint response to security and migration challenges. "Slovenia strongly supports EU enlargement with the Western Balkans. The future of the region lies in the European Union and we, as the Union, must keep our promises and encourage reforms in the candidate countries. Slovenia enjoys excellent cooperation with Germany on enlargement, namely on how to make the enlargement process more effective, credible, predictable and dynamic," Minister Fajon said. Ministers also discussed the current international situation and global issues, particularly the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
This was Minister Fajon's first meeting with German Foreign Minister Wadephul in Berlin since the formation of the new German federal government on 6 May 2025. During her working visit to Berlin on 1 July 2022, Minister Fajon and former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock signed a Joint Plan of Action between the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Germany (2022–2024). On 5 December 2023, former Minister Baerbock paid a working visit to Slovenia.