Ljubljana - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak met President Borut Pahor on Monday ahead of the nearing fifth anniversary of signing of the Paris Agreement. The pair agreed on closer cooperation between the ministry and Pahor's permanent advisory committee on climate change.

Vizjak presented to Pahor Slovenia's long-term climate strategy by 2050 and its efforts to meet the climate neutrality goal, the ministry said after the meeting.

Slovenia supports the 2050 climate neutrality target as well as a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Moreover, it advocates an approach that would take into consideration national circumstances and specifics. The EU should remain a role model in the fight against climate change, the ministry's press release reads.

Vizjak pointed to the important role of Slovenia, a country which has joined an initiative to support green recovery plans after the pandemic and hence become, he said, one of the EU's 17 most ambitious member states when it comes to climate efforts.

The Green Deal is expected to not only reduce emissions but also create new jobs and boost sustainable economic growth.

Pahor said he was glad that Slovenia joined the initiative, urging the Green Deal to be a cornerstone for Europe's response to Covid-19, in April at the initiative of his climate advisors.

The president's advisory committee on climate change was set up in November 2019 to make recommendations for decision-makers at home and abroad and raise awareness among citizens.

The first line-up of the committee collectively resigned in June over what the members saw as lack of response by Pahor to legislation restricting the involvement of NGOs. The new line-up met for the first time in October.

In November, the committee called on the government and parliament to maintain high-level environmental efforts including in adopting anti-coronavirus legislation.