The Diplomat
The ambassador of Slovenia in Spain, Robert Krmelj, stressed that trade exchange between the two countries reached a new record last year, growing by more than 21%. He did so during the speech given on Tuesday at the reception held at his residence on the occasion of the Slovenian National Day, which celebrates the independence achieved in 1991.
Krmelj highlighted in his speech that the anniversary of independence supported by 95% of Slovenes coincides with the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s accession to the EU and NATO. In this sense, he recalled that his country was the first of the new Member States to adopt the euro and enter the Schengen area, and pointed out that since joining the community club Slovenia’s GDP per capita has doubled.
The ambassador also indicated that Slovenia, as a non-permanent member, since January, of the United Nations Security Council will defend “international peace and stability, the territorial integrity of States and respect for Fundamental Human Rights.”
Thus, he expressed his country’s support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis of the Palestinian population. And he also denounced “Russian military aggression in Ukraine,” pointing out that this country has every right to defend its independence and territorial integrity and to determine its future.
Regarding relations with Spain, the ambassador stated that the level of cooperation has been constantly increasing, and highlighted that trade exchanges reached 1-540 million euros last year, which represents an increase of more than 21 percent. with respect to 2022 a new record.
Likewise, he recalled that one of the main conclusions of the meetings between the presidents of Spain and Slovenia is to give new impetus to relations by convening an intergovernmental summit that – he said – “would take relations between both countries to a new level of reinforced cooperation.”
The ambassador welcomed the new honorary consul of Slovenia in San Sebastián, Pablo Munilla, and then gave the floor to the representatives of the country’s Tourist Office and Nova Gorica, which, together with the Italian Gorizia, will be the European Capital of the Culture in 2025.
The reception was attended by numerous European ambassadors and those from other geographical areas, as well as the general director of Western Central Europe and Southeast Europe, Raquel Gómez-Cambronero, among others.
