Peterle Hopes that Germany Could be Slovenia's Mentor

Berlin, 19 July - Slovene Foreign Minister Lojze Peterle paid a short visit to Germany on Wednesday, during which he met with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer among others. Fischer stressed Germany's resoluteness for a prompt EU enlargement which will have real foundations, while Peterle expressed his hope that Slovenia will become a EU member between 2003 and 2005, reported the German Press Agency (DPA). The Slovene Foreign Minister also expressed his expectation that Germany will support Slovenia in attempts to become a member of NATO and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development, STA found out from ministry sources. "We hope that Germany will take the role of our mentor," Peterle told the DPA.