Government of the Republic of Slovenia

01/13/2025 | Press release | Archived content

Fajon in Ankara: Syria faces historic opportunity

On the first day of her visit to Ankara, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, met with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. The meeting, which followed Fidan's visit to Slovenia in August, when the two ministers signed the Strategic Partnership Action Plan, focused on bilateral cooperation, the Middle East, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, enlargement, and EU-Türkiye relations.


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Minister Tanja Fajon with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

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Minister Tanja Fajon with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Minister Fajon visits Anitkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum, paying tribute to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye Minister Tanja Fajon with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Minister Fajon at the opening of The Marie Curies of the Mediterranean exhibition Minister Fajon at the opening of The Marie Curies of the Mediterranean exhibition Minister Fajon visits Anitkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum, paying tribute to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye Minister Fajon visits Anitkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum, paying tribute to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye Minister Fajon and her colleagues during their visit to Türkiye

"Slovenia and Türkiye are strategic partners. Trade between our countries has exceeded EUR 1.3 billion EUR, and there is interest on both sides in further intensifying cooperation. The 9th meeting of the Slovenian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation represents a continuation of the strategic partnership and cooperation with Türkiye across various economic sectors," Minister Fajon stated on the sidelines of the meeting. She also welcomed the Agreement on Social Security between Slovenia and Türkiye, which has been finalised and is ready for signature.

"Syria is facing a historic opportunity that could have positive consequences for the entire region. Slovenia remains committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, safeguarding its territorial integrity, and ensuring respect for all minorities and women's rights. Only an inclusive and unified Syria can have a promising future," Minister Fajon commented on the situation in Syria. The two ministers agreed that a potential ceasefire in Gaza would bring much-needed peace to the region. They also reiterated their call for peace in Ukraine, which must be founded on the principles of the UN Charter.

Türkiye is a significant partner and ally of the EU, as well as a candidate for EU membership. Slovenia supports the strengthening of EU-Türkiye cooperation in the spirit of a positive agenda, including steps towards easing visa procedures, which would promote increased people-to-people exchanges. Slovenia also advocates for the reinforcement of the EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue and the modernisation of the Customs Union, provided the necessary conditions are met. Furthermore, Slovenia and Türkiye are united in their strong support for the Western Balkan countries on their path to EU membership.

In the morning, Minister Fajon visited Anıtkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum, where she paid tribute to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye. She also inaugurated The Marie Curies of the Mediterranean exhibition at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, which she described as a celebration of "the lives and achievements of women scientists and researchers from the Mediterranean region", including two Slovenian women scientists.