Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Government of the Republic of Slovenia
07/12/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/12/2021 12:19
EU foreign ministers discuss geopolitics of new technologies, Strategic Compass and Ethiopia at a Council meeting
Foreign Minister Anže Logar today attended the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which focused on the geopolitics of new technologies, the Strategic Compass and Ethiopia.
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Minister Anže Logar at the arrival | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve
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Minister Anže Logar with colleagues German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Portugese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva and Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar Minister Anže Logar with High Representative Josep Borrell Minister Anže Logar Minister Anže Logar with Slovakian Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok Minister Anže Logar with French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian Minister Anže Logar with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
The ministers started the day by attending an informal breakfast with Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss the EU's relations with Egypt and the situation in the Middle East.
In a debate on the geopolitics of new technologies, the ministers discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the EU in the context of the global competition in the field of new technologies. Minister Logar emphasised the need for the EU's active and leading role in setting up norms and standards in the use of artificial intelligence. The Union must remain a driving force in the digital arena together with its transatlantic partners.
The ministers then turned to the subject of the Strategic Compass, focusing on crisis management, resilience, and partnerships. Minister Logar backed the continuation of a targeted discussion which, in accordance with the decisions taken, should further define strategic objectives, promote capacity development and upgrade the framework. In addition to strengthening the EU's strategic capacity, resilience and capacity development, Slovenia considers complementarity and cooperation with NATO, maintaining strong transatlantic ties and strengthening regional partnerships with the Western Balkan countries to be its key priorities.
The debate on Ethiopia aimed to convey a strong, unified EU message on the need to ensure safe humanitarian access, independent of the political processes, while calling for the protection of civilians and respect for human rights.
The ministers also held an informal lunch, during which they exchanged views with the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, on strengthening EU-Israel relations, the future of the Middle East peace process, and the situation in the region. In this context, Minister Logar expressed support for EU-Israel strategic partnership and the EU-Israel Association Council.