Before the official start of the event, Ambassador Juraj Chmiel met briefly with President Borut Pahor, where they discussed the excellent relations between the two countries, as well as the good relations that prevail between the presidents in Central Europe.

Then they both moved to the hall where the Heads of Missions were waiting for them. In his opening speech, Ambassador Chmiel said that the event is being held at the end of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and at the end of President Pahor's second term of office. He also recalled that the Czech Presidency is taking place in very difficult times, but CZ Presidency has dealt with all the challenges professionally. He also recalled that the success in terms of progress in the integration of the Western Balkan into the EU is also a success of President Pahor's political policy.  

He also thanked the staff of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ljubljana and his diplomatic colleagues for their cooperation during the Czech Presidency, when eight meetings of Heads of Missions with Slovenian ministers and representatives of the state administration were organised, as well as countless cultural events and exhibitions. In particular, the realisation of the exhibition Czech Footprints in Slovenia, which shows the influence of Czech individuals on cultural, social and sport developments in Slovenia.

At the end of his speech, Ambassador Chmiel thanked President Pahor for all the successful cooperation and wished him every success during his future assignments.

Then the President Borut Pahor addressed the meeting, thanking the Czech Ambassador for the initiative to organise the meeting and all the Heads of Missions for their cooperation. He recalled that this year Slovenia celebrates 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with most of the countries present.

He concluded by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year 2023.