Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and his host, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signed a joint declaration between the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia and the Israeli Innovation Authority. With his visit to Israel, Janša made it clear that he was bringing Slovenia back to the international diplomatic map, and at the same time, he also used the visit to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of technology. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the forthcoming Slovenian presidency of the EU and expressed hope that Slovenia would help Europe better understand this part of the world, which is different from it. He also described his meeting with Janša as historic.
Prime Minister Janez Janša met with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. At their meeting, Netanyahu expressed hope that during the upcoming EU presidency, Slovenia would make it easier for Europe to understand this part of the world, as the two are very different, and at the same time, that Slovenia would let the EU know that there are different opportunities and different alliances which could help achieve some good. The two prime ministers met in the office of the Israeli Prime Minister in Jerusalem. They also signed a joint declaration on cooperation in the field of technological innovation. The Israeli Prime Minister clearly emphasized that this was an opportunity for a new beginning of a period of good relations between the two countries and said that he sees Janša as a great supporter of the Slovenian-Israeli alliance and stressed that this also brings new opportunities.
Slovenia and Israel are advanced democracies, technologically capable and future-oriented
Netanyahu also said that Janša’s political moves clearly show how deeply he is committed to this vision, and stressed the importance of the fact that our Prime Minister chose to visit Israel as the first non-European country. He also reminded everyone that this was their first meeting and expressed hope that they would meet many more times in the future. He also thanked Janša for his commitment and consistency. The Israeli Prime Minister further pointed out the fact that Slovenia and Israel are two advanced democracies, technologically capable and future-oriented, and both countries also share the desire to provide a better life for their citizens, which is easier to achieve through mutual cooperation. He also emphasized the importance of the agreement between the two countries in the field of innovation and stressed that the future belongs to those who are innovative. Namely, innovation is the thing that creates added value, gives a competitive advantage and drives the economy forward. Netanyahu also expressed his belief that we can help each other in this area and thus help our people.
The host then pointed out many other areas in which the two countries can work together, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, trade and tourism, and pointed out the fact that Slovenia is already visited by a significant number of Israeli tourists every year. He also promised that they would try to bring even more Israeli tourists to our country and expressed his wish to visit Slovenia himself in the near future. He emphasized the importance of the Port of Koper as a European entry point for Israeli products. He also thanked Janša for declaring Hezbollah a terrorist organization and for Slovenia’s cooperation with Israel in international forums. At the end of his speech, he also expressed great joy that they were able to host both the Slovenian statesman and his delegation in Jerusalem and Israel, and described the event as historic or “the beginning of a new dawn.” He said that Israel also recently signed the so-called Abraham’s agreement. More and more countries are therefore joining the peace agreements, as well as the agreements for the normalization of relations, which have already been signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, and others will soon join.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Janez Janša pointed out the following: “Slovenia is among the European countries that are trying to see the situation in the Middle East as it is, and not as it is often portrayed. So, we are realists. We know the role of Israel and the importance that Israel plays when it comes to peace in the world and in the region. We are willing to do everything to strengthen this position.” At the end of his statement, Prime Minister Janez Janša also thanked the host for the invitation and hospitality and expressed joy regarding the future cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the two countries, a joint declaration was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia and the Israeli Innovation Authority. The Declaration on Innovation was signed by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia, Ajda Cuderman, and the Chairman of the Board of the Israeli Innovation Authority, dr. Ami Appelbaum.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Janez Janša also met with the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
The first day of the official visit to Israel was dedicated to a meeting with the representatives of the Israeli Innovation Sector. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with the President of the Israeli Innovation Authority, dr. Ami Appelbaum, and representatives of leading companies in the field of artificial intelligence and cyber security, who presented their activities and opportunities for cooperation with Slovenian companies. The Prime Minister of Slovenia described the meeting as an opportunity for development breakthroughs for Slovenian knowledge and entrepreneurship. The meeting with the entrepreneurs was followed by a conversation with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia Eival Gilady and representatives of the Israeli-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dror Dotan and Daniel Yogev.
Domen Mezeg