Slovenia PM seeks enhanced political, business ties with India

New Delhi, June 14 (ANI): Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, who is on four-day visit to India, on Tuesday said that he is looking forward to a strong political and business ties with India.

"I came here from Slovenia to find and talk with a friend who would like to deepen the political friendship between Slovenia and India. We find in India a great friend whom we can talk to on all possible challenges and issues of present and future for this and next generations. I am looking forward to serious, strong, rich friendship," he said

Noting it is the first ever visit by any Slovenian Prime Minister to India, Pahor said he is seeking some business ties with New Delhi.

"The second reason is to boost the economic relations between Slovenia and India. Slovenia is a member of the European Union. It is a member of Euro Zone. It is going out of recession and is on the right path to recovery. I will do my best with my government to push the good forums that make our economy competitive and to make our economy interesting for investments from India to Europe, particularly Slovenia," said Paror.

"We would like to make some investments also here in your country, so I am looking to be here. This is a very first state visit by Slovenian Prime Minister to this beautiful country, incredible India," he added.

Pahor was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here today.

The visiting Slovenian Prime Minister met Maharashtra Governor K Shankarnarayanan on Monday and offered his respects at the memorial to the victims of 21/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pahor will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during which the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen relations in the areas of trade and economy, health and higher education.

The visiting Slovenian Prime Minister is leading a high-power delegation including the Minister of Economy, Minister of Health, Minister of Transport, State Secretary for Higher Education, and a large number of senior officials as well as businessmen.

The bilateral trade between India and Slovenia in the last five years has quadrupled to 245 million euros and India looks forward to access central and southeast European markets through the European nation. (ANI)