Annual meeting of Honorary Consuls from the United States, United States of Mexico and the Republic of Panama

Srečanje častnih konzulov iz ZDA, Združenih mehiških držav in Republike Paname na veleposlaništvu RS v ZDA

On October 25, 2024, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the USA, Mexico and Panama, Iztok Mirošič, convened the annual meeting of honorary consuls from the USA, the United Mexican States and the Republic of Panama. The consultation took place in a hybrid format, with a total of 12 honorary consuls participating.

The participants of the consultation were addressed by the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon and the Minister for Slovenians abroad, Matej Arčon. Both emphasized the importance of the network of honorary consuls both for bilateral cooperation and for the integration of Slovenian emigrants in the USA. They thanked the consuls for their work and encouraged them to further improve cooperation between the two countries with their initiatives.

This year's keynote speakers were the Slovenian Minister of Finance, Klemen Boštjančič and the governor of the Bank of Slovenia, Boštjan Vasle. Slovenian Minister of Finance described the financial, economic and business environment in Slovenia, and the Governor of the Bank of Slovenia spoke about indicators of economic growth and financial stability of Slovenia.

On behalf of the Embassy, ​​Ambassador Iztok Mirošič presented the foreign policy priorities and highlights of the relations between Slovenia and the USA, Mexico and Panama, as well as the key guidelines for the work of honorary consuls, which mainly include the promotion of economic, touristic and cultural cooperation and cooperation with the Slovenian community, including the promotion of the Slovenian language. A special focus of the work of honorary consuls, in accordance with the strategy of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, is establishing cooperation in the fields of new technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space and innovation. Ambassador Mirošič also stressed the vital role of diplomacy in the current global political and economic turbulent moment.

The participants of the consultation on the part of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs were: Director General of the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy dr. Slobodan Šešum, Head of the Sector for North and Latin America and the Caribbean, Mrs. Anita Stankovič-Pavlič, Head of the Consular Sector Mr. Viktor Mlakar and Deputy General Secretary Ms. Urška Čas.

Consul General Suzana Češarek presented the activities of the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland and highlighted the main areas in which the consulate cooperates with honorary consuls from federal states in the consular area of ​​the Consulate General in Cleveland.

President of the American-Slovene Club, Mrs. Saša Mrak Hendrickson presented the club's initiatives and the club's efforts to promote economic and business cooperation between Slovenia and the USA and the Western Hemisphere.

At a reception for conference participants and Slovenian businesspeople, Mr. Matic Rodica presented the wine offerings for the U.S. market on behalf of the Rodica Family Organic Winery. Rodica wines are distributed across most U.S. states.