29/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 30/08/2024 13:46
Participants of the Youth Seminar | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve
The seminar is aimed at strengthening ties with the Eastern partners through exchanges on key aspects of bilateral relations, the European integration process and current regional challenges. One of the topics in focus was the respect of the EU's core values, including the rule of law and fighting corruption.
The seminar provided young diplomats with an insight into Slovenia's foreign policy priorities, including the activities in the context of Slovenia's membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The event provided an opportunity to discuss the future of the Eastern Partnership policy and ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including in the context of development cooperation. The participants also familiarised themselves with issues related to EU policy coordination and European integration. For the first time, this year's agenda included topics related to fighting hybrid threats and disinformation, as well as the role of civil society in strengthening democratic processes in the country.
In the opening part of the seminar, the diplomats were addressed by Acting Secretary-General, Ambassador Barbara Žvokelj, who stressed the importance of friendly relations with Eastern partners and underlined Slovenia's commitment to strengthening relations, both bilaterally and within the Eastern Partnership. She also underlined the importance of dialogue as a key instrument of preventive diplomacy and a crucial factor in resolving open issues between countries.
As part of the presentation of Slovenia's scientific and research achievements, the participants visited the National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia's second largest research institution in the natural sciences, and the Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies SPACE-SI, where they saw the first Slovenian microsatellite NEMO-HD in operation.
During their their visit to Slovenia, the participants will attend the Young Bled Strategic Forum (29 August-1 September), and the Bled Strategic Forum (2-3 September).