Secretary Manalo Advances PH-Slovenia Ties During Historic Visit of Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon
Secretary for Foreign Affairs (right) Enrique A. Manalo meets with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon (left) during her official visit to the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)
MANILA 13 March 2025 — Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo held on 11 March 2025 a bilateral meeting with Slovenian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.
The historic visit to the Philippines is the first for a Slovenian Foreign Minister since the Philippines established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Slovenia in 1993. Foreign Minister Fajon is in Manila to formally open the Embassy of Slovenia in the Philippines, currently the only Slovenian diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia.
Key discussions during the meeting focused on advancing bilateral ties between the Philippines and Slovenia by encouraging trade and investment and fostering partnerships in science and technology, nuclear energy, maritime education, sports, and labor.
In addition, Secretary Manalo and Foreign Minister Fajon exchanged views on regional and international issues, including cooperation with the EU, developments in ASEAN, the West Philippine Sea, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Cooperation in the multilateral front was also included in the discussions, particularly Slovenia’s experience as a current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The two ministers also underscored the shared advocacies of the Philippines and Slovenia in climate change and climate financing, and women, peace and security issues.
In his remarks to the press following the meeting, Secretary Manalo highlighted the shared commitment of the Philippines and Slovenia to the rule of law and the rules-based international order, and welcomed Slovenia’s support for the 2016 Arbitral Award.
In response, FM Fajon expressed the Slovenian side’s intention to work closely with the Philippines, especially on maritime issues. FM Fajon also noted that both Ministers are advocates for strengthened EU-ASEAN cooperation, with Slovenia finding a like-minded partner in the Philippines. END