RIYADH, 17 June 2005 — Slovenian Ambassador Mitja Drobnic met with top officials of the Saudi Foreign Ministry recently to discuss bilateral ties between his country and Saudi Arabia, the Middle East peace process and reforms.
He expressed optimism for further improved ties with the Kingdom based on his visit and talks with high-ranking officials at the Foreign Ministry. “We had very fruitful talks,” Drobnic said. “We discussed efforts to step up the bilateral relationship binding our two countries. Slovenia is a small country but we need to strengthen and widen our ties,” the Cairo-based Drobnic said who visits the Kingdom once a year.
He added that widening ties has become imperative since Slovenia became a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004.
“We find it important to expand our relations with other countries, especially with Saudi Arabia which is a key player in the region,” Drobnic said.
Slovenia also has an increasing involvement in the EU as it will be presiding over its activities during the first half of 2008.
“It means that at that time, Slovenia will be a leading country in organizing the external affairs of the EU. As we prepare for such a momentous even it is important to strengthen relations with partners including Saudi Arabia,” said Drobnic who is also accredited with other GCC countries.
The Slovenian envoy also met with officials of the Council the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) and discussed ways to improve trade ties.
“We told the CSCCI officials that we intend to send a Slovenian trade delegation to the Kingdom to be headed by the president of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” he said. He added that this was important for Slovenia as it wants to diversify its trade.
Slovenia sends some 60 percent of its products to the EU but we did not intend to exceed this. “We also want to have trade relationship with other countries.”
“Saudi Arabia is an important trade partner for us, although our trade volume touches only $20 million but we can see a great scope for improvement,” he said.
Slovenia’s major exports include chemicals, tires, car spare parts, paper and board, machinery, electrical appliances. He also met with Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy, who is the president of both the CSCCI and the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
