Prime Minister Robert Golob: Today's discussions as preparation for the European Council meeting and the MED9 Summit
The talks between Prime Minister Robert Golob and President Costa focused on key European issues that will be on the agenda of upcoming European Council meetings. These included current trade issues, strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy, negotiations on the future Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU, EU enlargement and the situations in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Middle East. The leaders also discussed the topics to be addressed at the MED9 Summit, scheduled for 20 October 2025 in Portorož.
As Prime Minister Robert Golob said at a press conference, today's talks were a preparation for two important upcoming events – the European Council meeting in October, where these topics will be on the agenda, and the MED9 Summit, which will take place in Slovenia a few days earlier. "At the MED9 Summit, chaired by Slovenia, both the President of the European Council and King Abdullah II of Jordan will join us. We expect to conclude today's discussions with concrete decisions ahead of the European Council meeting," said the Prime Minister, adding that he was pleased with the excellent relations he enjoys with the President of the European Council, a great friend of Slovenia.
"During the talks, we did not shy away from addressing the grave situation and the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza. On this matter, President Costa and share very similar views. However, I understand that his responsibility is to represent the positions of the entire European Council, stated Prime Minister Robert Golob. "Despite Europe's expressed and at times apparent helplessness in the face of the horrors in Gaza, I am optimistic that in the coming weeks, together with like-minded countries, we will succeed in taking concrete steps to put pressure on the Israeli government to stop the bloodshed. This would allow us to begin gradually restoring peace to the region," he added.
European Council President António Costa began by thanking Prime Minister Robert Golob for the warm welcome in Slovenia. "Visits are very important, primarily because we need to bring the European institutions closer to the European citizens. But also because we need to connect with different leaders, as our union is a union of nations and we need to take into account the national positions of each Member State. It is of utmost importance that we build unity among the 27 Member States," President Costa emphasised. He also expressed his satisfaction with the very good and useful talks with Prime Minister Robert Golob.
He went on to emphasise that Slovenia plays a very important and active role at the international level. Notably, it advocates the expansion of the European Union not only to the Western Balkans, but also to Ukraine and Moldova. "Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the MED9 Group and is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council," the European Council President emphasised, adding that Slovenia is strongly committed to ending the bloodshed in Gaza, providing adequate humanitarian aid to the civilian population and finding a two-state solution.
At the conclusion, President Costa thanked Prime Minister Robert Golob for today's talks and said: "As always, we can count on Slovenia to strengthen our European Union."