• Slovenian Foreign Minster outlines priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU during meeting with CEF
• Sir David Lidington: Vital that the European democracies defend human rights and the rule of law
• UK and EU face similar challenges, constructive cooperation important for both sides, says Slovenian Foreign Minster

The event, chaired by Sir David Lidington, was attended by senior Conservatives and European politicians, plus leaders from industry and the diplomatic community and comes less two weeks after Slovenia assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Under the slogan ‘Together. Resilient. Europe’, Dr Logar highlighted Slovenia’s four priorities for its 6-month stint at the helm of the EU:

• Post-Covid recovery and resilience
• Conference on the Future of Europe
• Strengthening the Rule of law and European values
• Increased security and stability in the European neighbourhood, with a particular focus on the Western Balkans.

Commenting after the meeting, which was held under the Chatham house Rule, Dr Logar said:

“Only by working together, in the spirit of constructive cooperation, can we build a better Europe for tomorrow. As the European Union recovers from the global COVID-19 pandemic, our focus must be based on a green transition and a digital transformation.

“I was delighted to address the Conservative European Forum today. Both the European Union and the United Kingdom will continue to face similar challenges and I welcomed the constructive proposals that we discussed on how both sides can continue to cooperate.”

CEF Chair, Sir David Lidington added:

“I am delighted that Dr Anže Logar chose to address CEF at the start of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and wish to thank the Slovenian Ambassador, Simona Leskovar, for helping to arrange the meeting.

“Outside the EU, the UK continues to share both values and interests with our European neighbours.

“At a time when the democratic world is being challenged by authoritarian models of government and society, championed by Russia and China, it is vital that the European democracies defend human rights and the rule of law.

“I also welcome the focus on the Western Balkans by the Slovenian presidency, where the UK shares a common interest in defeating corruption and organised crime.”

“Through our programme of activity and meetings, CEF continues to be a centre right forum for debate about how the UK can cooperate and work closely with our European allies to tackle the shared challenges that we collectively face.”

The Slovenian Ambassador the United Kingdom, H.E. Ms Simona Leskovar, added:

“In my role as Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Kingdom, I have been working to enhance cooperation and understanding between Ljubljana and London.

“Slovenia places great importance on working with our European neighbours, both those inside and outside the European Union. Last year the total trade in goods and between the UK and Slovenia was £855 million.

“I look forward to continuing to strengthen political cooperation between our two countries and helping to grow UK-Slovenian trade”.