Brussels - The priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency in the second half of this year and bilateral cooperation were in the focus as Foreign Minister Anže Logar held talks on Monday with his Belgian counterpart Sophie Wilmes.

Logar stressed that Slovenia would place special emphasis on strengthening the EU's capacity to address health and other crises, the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministers agreed on the importance of respecting European values and the rule of law, which represent the foundation of the EU. They discussed migration flows and the ongoing quest for an agreement on the EU's migration and asylum pact.

They endorsed the strengthening of the EU's strategic autonomy and global cooperation based on free and rules-based trade, and exchanged views on future relations with the UK and China, according to the ministry's press release.

The ministers expressed satisfaction with the development of Slovenian-Belgian relations and confirmed a mutual interest in strengthening ties at all levels.