"Let me first say that our relations with the US have always been good... People are not aware of how much US capital has been invested in Slovenia. They are not aware that we work together with our great ally in a variety of fields, politically and in other ways."
"It is also true that we can strengthen these ties further. But not at the expense of any other entity, not at the expense of the EU or Russia, for example, said Cerar, who was in New York alongside President Borut Pahor for the opening of the UN General Assembly session.
He also believes that not enough has been done in the past years to make the US aware how much progress Slovenia made in economy and politics.
"We know that many, even the very specific issues, such as the border arbitration and such, are important in our relations with the US. We know that some political players in the US have not been informed well enough about the arbitration in the past years."
"I believe this is very important and I expect that relations will grow stronger, but not at the expense of other countries because Slovenia needs to lead an open foreign policy toward all countries, especially those with whom we are partners in the closest integrations, such as the EU."
Today, Cerar also attended a meeting of the Informal Ministerial Network for the International Criminal Court, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release. The minister commended the court and the chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on their work, including the help provided to victims.
He also attended a meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation, a high-level event dedicated to the inclusion of youth in the process of mediation.
Slovenia expressed the need to also promote the inclusion of women, as they are also a vulnerable group that is often overlooked in mediation procedures, the ministry added.
Cerar also took part in the General Assembly session focusing on North Korea, and met his Columbian counterpart Carlos Holmes Trujillo. The meeting focused on Slovenia's efforts to help in demining in Columbia through ITF - Enhancing Human Security, a Slovenian-run demining fund.
The pair expressed satisfaction that bilateral dialogue has intensified in the past years and that positive trends have been seen in economy.
Cerar moreover met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. The ministers welcomed the friendly relations and the progress made in cooperation between the countries, especially in business.
Cerar underlined that Slovenia continued to support the Iran Nuclear Deal. The pair also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, above all in Syria. Cerar also expressed condolences following a terrorist attack in Ahvaz on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry added.
Pahor and Cerar will now leave for Washington to attend a reception to mark the 20th anniversary of ITF - Enhancing Human Security, a Slovenian-run de-mining fund, on Friday.
Pahor is also scheduled to meet with Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat of Slovenian descent, while in Washington.
