Slovenia, Turkey discuss possibility of strategic partnership

Slovenian Parliament Speaker Janko Veber met with his Turkish counterpart Cemil Cicek here on Tuesday, exchanging views over the possibility of a strategic partnership. It is a priority for Slovenia, which is restructuring its economy and banking system, to conclude a strategic partnership with Turkey, Veber said in a statement after the meeting. In response, Cicek said that Turkey stood ready to share its experience in carrying out financial reform with Slovenia. The two legislative chiefs agreed that a good political relationship is instrumental to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. On Turkey's bid to join the European Union, Veber reiterated Slovenia's support for Turkey's membership aspirations. In addition to his meeting with Veber, Cicek also had talks with Slovenian President Borut Pahor. He is due to meet with Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek on Wednesday. In May 2012, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Ljubljana.