Official Opening of the Slovenia Embassy: Slovenia Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon led the ceremonial ribbon cutting together with Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Smiljana Knez, and DFA Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro
Visiting Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon led the official opening of theRepublic of Slovenia Embassy in Manila on March 11, marking it as the first Slovenian embassy in the Philippines and an Eastern European nation’s first-ever mission established within Southeast Asia.
She emphasized: "The world is changing more and more and more, and today more than ever, we need strong partnerships. The Philippines, like Slovenia, is a strong advocate of multilateralism, respect for international law and human dignity. That is why I am extremely pleased that we have opened the only embassy in the ASEAN region in Manila. I believe that the embassy will not only strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, but will also open the door for Slovenian companies to new markets in the region and help citizens of both countries."
Minister Tanja Fajon delivers her welcome remarks
The embassy, located at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City has been in operation since May of last year but the consular services were somewhat limited as the chancery was still under construction phase. This was completed in time for the official visit of Minister Fajon which ran from March 10 to 12.
The renovation of the embassy premises was co-financed by European funds - the Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument.
Minister Fajon opened the embassy together with DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Slovenian Ambassador to the Philippines Smiljana Knez.
Ambassador Davide Giglio of the Embassy of Italy with European Union Ambassador Mariomassimo Santoro, and DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre, Office of European Affairs; Ambassador Mary Kay Loss Carlson of the Embassy of the United States of America, with Ambassador Räduta-Dana Matache of the Embassy of RomaniaAmbassador Lai Thai Binh of the Embassy of Romania, Ambassador Mary Kay Loss Carlson of the Embassy of the United States of America, Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland, Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of the Embassy of Germany, Ambassador Johann Brieger of the Embassy of Austria, and Ambassador Michel Monique M. Parys of the Embassy of BelgiumAmbassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of the Embassy of Malaysia, Ambassador Megawati Manan of the embassy of Brunei, Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland, Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France, Ambassador Mary Kay Loss Carlson of the Embassy of the United States of America, and Ambassador Johann Brieger of the Embassy of Austria Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France, Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis of the Embassy of Greece, and Embassy of Poland Charges d’Affaires Anna Krzac-Danel(from left) Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of the Embassy of German, Honorary Consul of Slovenia in Manila Felix Ang, and spouse Grace Ang; Ambassador Karel Hejč of the Embassy of Czech Republic with Ambassador Mary Kay Loss Carlson of the Embassy of the United States of AmericaWomen power: Diplomat friends of the Slovenia embassy came to support Slovenia Ambassador Smiljana Knez (3rd from right). Photo shows (from left) CDA Krzac-Danel of Embassy of Poland, Ambassador Räduta-Dana Matache of the Embassy of Romania, Ambassador Mary Kay Loss Carlson of US Embassy, Philippine Ambassador to Austria, Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo-Bernas, DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Slovenia Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland, and Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France
