Luxembourg - President Borut Pahor met in Luxembourg on Monday President of the Chamber of Deputies Fernand Etgen and Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn. Confirming the excellent relations between the two countries, the officials shared similar views on the EU's core values, including the rule of law and media freedom.

Pahor stressed that Luxembourg had been an important ally and friend of Slovenia since the latter's independence. The countries have similar views on key EU issues, global challenges and the resolution of international crises, the president's office said.

The president also met Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, whom he told he still recalled his visit to Slovenia 20 years ago, when Pahor received him and Grand Duchess in his capacity as parliamentary speaker. This was also the last top-level visit between the two countries.

At a special ceremony at the Grand Ducal Palace today, Pahor became co-chair of the honorary committee of the World Diplomatic Academy, which operates as part of the Crans Montana Forum and has a 35-year tradition in efforts for peace and cooperation, conflict prevention and sustainable development.

The Slovenian president will co-chair the committee with Prince Jean de Nassau of Luxembourg, brother of Henri. Today's ceremony was also attended by the forum's founder and president, Jean-Paul Carteron.

On Sunday, Pahor met Jean-Claude Juncker, former president of the European Commission and long-serving prime minister of Luxembourg, and current Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Pahor's visit marks Slovenia's 30th anniversary of independence and, according to his office, is also a token of appreciation for the support Luxembourg has always given to Slovenia in its European aspirations. It was in Luxembourg that Slovenia first applied for EU membership and also received the mandate to start accession negotiations in December 1997.