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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 4, 1998

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

VISIT OF SLOVENIAN PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK

President Clinton and Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek met today at the White House to review ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, increase mutually-beneficial trade and investment and enhance stability in Southeast Europe. They also discussed Slovenia's aspirations to join NATO and the EU.

President Clinton commended Slovenia's engagement in international peacekeeping and efforts to develop the International Trust Fund for Demining in Bosnia/Herzegovina. The President also welcomed Slovenia's very constructive role as a member of the UN Security Council, including its stances on Iraq and Kosovo. On Kosovo, the two leaders noted the key role being played by NATO to bring about compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the necessity of reaching a political solution as quickly as possible.

The two leaders discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington and Slovenia's efforts to join the Alliance. President Clinton reaffirmed NATO's commitment to keep the door open to additional members and the U.S. government's willingness to work with Slovenia to make it as strong a candidate as possible for future membership.

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