Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs met with His Excellency Gorazd Renčelj, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Brazil and Special Envoy to the Caribbean on behalf of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, the Honourable Tanja Fajon, at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs on 24th April, 2023. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Om Lalla, Honorary Consul for Slovenia.
Minister Browne and Ambassador Renčelj discussed Slovenia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2024 to 2025, and a range of areas for diplomatic cooperation. The Minister recounted the track record of multilateral support between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Republic of Slovenia, and underscored the importance of a rules-based international system to Trinidad and Tobago.
At the request of Minister Browne, Ambassador Renčelj indicated that Slovenia would endeavour to provide a voice for smaller countries and was committed to consensus building. The Ambassador expressed confidence that this would augur well for Trinidad and Tobago given the similarities in outlook between the two countries as he cited human rights as an example. Minister Browne in turn provided specific additional areas which Trinidad and Tobago would wish to see Slovenia champion during its presumptive term on the Security Council. These included territorial integrity, respect for international law and climate change concerns.
The Minister also encouraged the Ambassador to positively consider His Excellency Dennis Francis, Trinidad and Tobago’s candidate for the President of the United Nations General Assembly, for the period 2023 to 2024. In response, the Ambassador described the candidacy as strong and indicated that Trinidad and Tobago can count on Slovenia’s support.
Trinidad and Tobago and Slovenia have enjoyed bilateral relations since 9th May 2007. Both parties recognised that opportunities exist to explore engagement and collaboration in several areas, including trade and the application of technology to address areas of concern, for example, water management.
In connection with Slovenia’s expressed desire to give voice to Small States, Minister Browne encouraged Ambassador Renčelj to champion the ratification of the New Cotonou Agreement between the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), which appears to be making meaningful progress after months of uncertainty on account of processes internal to the European Union.
The meeting ended cordially with both parties committing to further discussions, on advancing the bilateral agenda between Trinidad and Tobago and Slovenia, at upcoming meetings attended by both countries.
