UNMIK/PR/835
Sunday, 29 September 2002

Steiner concludes successful visit to Slovenia

Following his visit to Slovenia Saturday at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmitrij Rupel, SRSG Michael Steiner described the visit as one of the most successful he has made in the region so far.

The SRSG held meetings with Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek, Foreign Minister Dmitrij Rupel, Minister of Economy Tea Petrin; Borut Pahor, President of the Parliament and the chair of the Assembly Committee on Foreign Policy, Jelko Kacin.

“This was a very successful visit which concentrated on issues of mutual economic interest,” SRSG Michael Steiner said. “Important, practical and concrete results were achieved.”

Results of the visit included signature of an agreement in principle on mutual recognition of vehicle insurance. Negotiations on recognition of Kosovo license plates were concluded, which now need formal authorization by Government of Slovenia in order to be implemented. Negotiations on investment protection agreements for Slovenia and Kosovo were also launched.

Slovenia agreed to give export credit guarantees through competent institutions for exports of goods to Kosovo.

Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek invited the Kosovo Trust Agency and UNMIK’s Pillar IV to take part in a business conference in Bled on 3-4 October to present investment opportunities now available with the launch of the privatization process in Kosovo.

It was also agreed that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Slovenia would establish an office in Pristina as soon as possible. Mr. Steiner said he hoped that the Minister of Economy would come to Kosovo with a business delegation to open it.

Foreign Minister Rupel agreed to open a Slovenian liaison office in Pristina next year. He also accepted an invitation to come to Kosovo to give further support for institutional and economic cooperation.

SRSG Michael Steiner said he was pleased that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated the progress achieved in Kosovo and fully supported the strategies he outlined.

In expressing his thanks to the Slovenian Government, the SRSG said, “Kosovo can count on Slovenia as a good friend and partner.”