Tonin and Kramp-Karrenbauer confirmed the success of the joint participation in international operations and missions and in joint exercises and training, primarily as part of the leading country concept under Germany's leadership.

The German minister praised the moral stance of members of the Slovenian Armed Forces and the good experience when it comes to cooperation in international missions and operations, which the countries will look to boost further, the Slovenian Defence Ministry said.

The ministers also discussed the upcoming presidencies of the EU Council, as Slovenia, Germany and Portugal comprise the next presidency trio.

They agreed that topics related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the defence and security agenda should be accordingly included in the EU presidency priorities.

According to Kramp-Karrenbauer, Germany is willing to provide Slovenia with all necessary assistance in this respect as it advocates the approach that the EU presidency should be observed as a trio and not only as a six-month presidency of an individual country.

Tonin endorsed the proposal and said that the ambitious priorities which had been set for the presidency could be better realised in a 18-month period.

Germany is to take over the EU presidency on 1 July, followed by Portugal, and then Slovenia in the second half of 2021.

The German minister was interested in Slovenia's activities in the Western Balkans, including its role in the region's accession to the EU, and offered Germany's assistance in these activities.

Tonin said that the presence of the EU and NATO was welcome and necessary to preserve peace, stability and security in the region, and that the EU must pay even more attention to the Western Balkans and reward its progress accordingly.

In this light, the Slovenian minister announced that the region would be one of the priorities of the country's EU presidency, concluded the ministry's press release.