Dalli: Slovenia and Malta Should Strengthen Business Ties

Maltese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion John Dalli, who visited Slovenia on Monday, 7 June, stressed the need to strengthen economic cooperation between Slovenia and Malta after he met Finance Minister Dusan Mramor and Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana.

Dalli would like to see more activity in economy between the two countries, saying there is great potential.

Rupel and Dalli shared a view that bilateral relations were on a very high level. The two countries also have very similar positions on intergovernmental talks on the European constitutional treaty. Dalli expressed the hope that talks would wrap up under the Irish presidency.

Slovenia and Malta, both small EU countries, advocate a rise in the minimum number of MEPs from one country and the preservation of the "one commissioner per country" principle. Asked about EU areas in which the two countries could cooperate successfully, Dalli said there were a number of areas and that the cooperation depended on current issues. He finds it important that the two countries exchange information and find the right ways to enforce their positions. He pointed out that Slovenia and Malta are connected with the Mediterranean, which is also one of the things they have in common.

Dalli's visit was also an occasion for Malta and Slovenia to sign a bilateral agreement on the cooperation in education, culture and science between 2004 and 2006.

Dalli was also received by PM Anton Rop.

Source: Slovene Press Agency STA