Brussels, 2 December 2008 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Žbogar met today with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.  In his first meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Minister Žbogar emphasised that Slovenia would continue its active involvement in the common formulation and implementation of North Atlantic Alliance policy.  As one of twenty-six allies, our country establishes its credibility with active participation in NATO discussions and operations.

Minister Žbogar with NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer in Brussels (Photo: BOBO)

The two interlocutors devoted special attention to the situation in the Western Balkans, where NATO is involved in the post-conflict stabilisation process and in extending institutional stability in Slovenia’s immediate neighbourhood through the integration of Western Balkan countries.   Minister Žbogar underlined Slovenia’s interest in rapid integration of Western Balkan countries in Euro-Atlantic structures, thereby enhancing security in Slovenia and Europe as a whole.

(Photo: BOBO)

Minister Žbogar also invited the Secretary General to pay an official visit to Slovenia in 2009, on the occasion of NATO’s 60th anniversary.