Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Meets with Slovenian Officials, Participates in Cultural Festival

Deputy Foreign Minster of Armenia Karine Ghazinyan and her Slovenian counterpart Dragoljuba Benčina held consultations on March 5 in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. The two diplomats discussed several issues relating to bilateral and multilateral cooperation, regional and international developments, the Eastern Partnership Program, and cooperation between Armenia and Slovenia within international organizations.

While speaking about cooperation between the two countries in such areas as trade, science and culture, Ghazinyan and Benčina agreed upon the importance of revitalizing the political dialogue between Armenia and Slovenia and realizing unused potential of economic ties.

They also expressed their gratitude for a cultural festival in Slovenia titled “Armenia Up Close,” which features exhibits, concerts, theatre, and lectures running from December 2009 to June 2010.

Karine Ghazinyan placed importance on implementing a provision outlined in the Eastern Partnership Program that refers to the “simplification of visa regime and citizens’ free movement in a secure environment.” Dragoljuba Benčina, in turn, said Slovenia was ready to provide support in this area.

On the same day, the Armenian deputy foreign minister was welcomed by the Slovenian Secretary State of Culture Stoyan Pelko. Later she was expected to attend a cultural and historic exhibit titled “Armenian Tradition between the Secular and the Sacred” that has opened in Cankarjev dom Cultural Centre in Ljubljana.