SLOVENIAN EMBASSY BUDAPEST Slovenian Newsletter FEBRUARY 2012 In this issue

PARLIAMENT CONFIRMED NEW GOVERNMENT 1 NEW FOREIGN MINISTER KARL ERJAVEC ASSUMES DUTIES 2

ŽBOGAR APPOINTED AS EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN KOSOVO 2 WORKING VISIT OF AMBASSADOR DARJA BAVDAŽ KURET IN ZALAEGERSZEG 3 MEETING OF THE AMBASSADOR WITH THE PRESIDENT OF HCCI 3 AMBASSADORIAL MEETING ON PREPARATION FOR THE RIO CONFERENCE 4 MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY RADOVAN ŽERJAV 5 LEGISLATIVE REFENDUM ON FAMILY LAW 6 CELEBRATION OF SLOVENIAN CULTURAL DAY IN BUDAPEST 6 CARNIVAL FESTIVITIES AND PARADES ACCROSS IN FEBRUARY 8 SLOVENIAN LANGUAGE COURSES IN LJUBLJANA 8

POLITICS Parliament confirmed new government

The National Assembly confirmed the cabinet of Janez Janša in a 50-10 vote on February 10, completing the formation of the 10th Slovenian government following the 4 December general election. The centre-right cabinet has 12 ministers alongside Janša as the prime minister: four from the main coalition partner, the Democrats (SDS), and two each from the remaining development minister from the Public Administration partners, the Virant List, the the first Janša cabinet Žiga Ministry. People's Party (SLS), the Turk (SDS) will head the Radovan Žerjav Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) new Ministry of Education, (SLS) will head the and New Slovenia (NSi). Culture, Science and Sport. Economy Ministry and Franc č Former ministers in The Finance Bogovi (SLS) the the first Janša cabinet from Ministry, regarded as the Agriculture and Spatial 2004-2008, Karl Erjavec main department in the Planning Ministry. (DeSUS) and Andrej Vizjak upcoming term, will be The new minister for č (SDS) will take over the headed by Janez Šušterši Slovenians abroad will be Foreign Ministry and the (Virant List), while his party Ljudmila Novak (NSi), while č č Ministry of Labour, Family colleague Senko Pli ani party colleague Aleš Hojs and Social Affairs. Former will take over the Justice and

1 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 will take over the Defence The Health Ministry Ministry. will be headed by Tomaž Gantar (DeSUS).

New Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec assumes duties

On February 13 the Minister Erjavec Although the Foreign new Minister of Foreign highlighted the good and Ministry is not directly Affairs, Karl Erjavec, has friendly relations with involved in resolving the taken over from the former neighbouring countries, that economic and financial minister, Samuel Žbogar, are of great importance. “Of crisis, it is responsible for who wished him every course, we have some opening doors to Slovenian success in his work. outstanding issues with each business. The new minister Minister Erjavec thanked neighbouring country, but I thus stated that he would the former minister for his believe that we will be able endeavour to retain contribution and agreed to deal with them economic diplomacy at the with his assessment of appropriately,” stated the Foreign Ministry. Slovenian foreign policy. new foreign minister. Regarding a possible reduction of the diplomatic and consular network, Minister Erjavec stated that it is necessary to establish a diplomatic network that is as effective as possible, which can respond to new challenges and international circumstances, where a “shift of the centres of power from west to east and from north to south” has occurred. Minister Erjavec also took the opportunity to congratulate his predecessor on his appointment as EU Special Representative in Kosovo.

Žbogar appointed as EU Special Representative in Kosovo

Foreign Affairs Council as double-hatting is expected to the EU Special strengthen the presence of Representative in Kosovo on EU in Kosovo. 25 January. Žbogar term has The appointment of begun from 1 February 2012 Mr Žbogar is a recognition and will end 30 June, but of Slovenia’s foreign policy may be extended. At the and diplomacy, and his work Samuel Žbogar, same time he took on his in the international area, former minister of Foreign additional role as head of the particularly his endeavours Affairs was appointed by EU office in Priština. His to promote stability in the

2 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 region and its integration including China, the UN in Slovenia's negotiating team into European institutions. New York, and in for NATO accession, and Mr Samuel Žbogar Washington DC. He led the was a member of Slovenia's has 24 years experience in preparations for Slovenia's EU negotiating team. key strategic postings, OSCE presidency, headed

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Working visit of the Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret in Zalaegerszeg, 8 th February

Upon invitation of cooperation. Satisfaction was of business forum of the mayor Csaba Gyutai expressed regarding the Slovenian and Hungarian ambassador Darja Bavdaž cooperation on economical, enterprises on 19 th of April Kuret visited Zalaegerszeg cultural and educational 2012. on 8 th February 2012 fields between Zala County accompanied by economic and Slovenia. In this context Ambassador gave on adviser Goran Križ. Meeting it was emphasized the interview about the visit for was also attended by deputy importance of transport the Regional television mayors Zoltán Balaicz and connections between states “Zalaegerszeg TV”. Attila Doszpoth and dr and of the of for Andras Háry, managing the Hungarian market. director of industrial parks Within the visit of the East development. Industrial Park the interest The main topics of for cooperation with partners the discussion were good in Slovenia was expressed. neighborhood and friendly Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret bilateral relations and the and mayor Csaba Gyutai interest for the further agreed in conclusion of the strengthening of good mutual working visit on organization

Meeting of the Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret with the president of Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry dr. Lászlo Parragh

Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Slovenia. The Embassy's Hungarian Chamber of Kuret met with the president activities on economic fields Commerce informed about of Hungarian Chamber of were presented, emphasizing changes in status of the Commerce and Industry dr the organization of business Chamber, foreseeing the László Parrogh on 13th forums in Hungarian compulsory registration of February 2012. counties and bigger towns. the companies in . The mutual interest was The importance of different Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret expressed for deepening structures for bilateral and the president of the business relations between business cooperation, like Chamber Parragh agreed on two neighboring countries the Slovenian-Hungarian organization of joint working that shows 20% increase of business council and the meeting with representatives the trade exchange. Hungary Association of Slovenian of the Joint Committee and is by goods exchange the Hungarian businessmen were the Hungarian Chamber with sixth biggest partner of accentuated. The president of the purpose to strengthen

3 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 bilateral economics cooperation.

Ambassadorial meeting in Szentendre on preparation for the Rio Conference

The Slovenian Ambassador in Budapest, Darja Bavdaž Kuret, and the Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre, Márta Szigeti Bonifert, hosted a meeting of ambassadors on the preparations for the Conference on Sustainable Development to be held this June in Rio. The keynote speaker, Dr István commitments expected to building block of Hungary's Teplán, is the national take shape in Rio. She also development policy. Apart coordinator of noted that the environment from water management, he preparations for the Rio has become an integral part highlighted the importance Conference at the of foreign policy and of renewable energy sources. Hungarian Ministry of presented the activities of the Danish Ambassador Sandau- Agriculture and Rural Green Group, which was Jensen presented the Development. The event initiated by Slovenia. preparations undertaken by took place on February Dr Teplán presented the European Union. Moreira 15th, in the conference hall Hungary’s priorities in Rio, Lima, Ambassador of Brazil, of the Regional which mostly pertain to the the host of the Conference, Environmental Centre, priorities of Hungarian highlighted that modern which is also hosting the exhibition ‘Water, Our Hope’. At the outset, director Szigeti Bonifert underlined the importance of the transition to a green economy as the central issue of the Conference. Environmental changes must also be tackled by adapting and reducing vulnerability. Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret presented the green embassies’ project in Budapest, which aims to Presidency of the EU challenges may only be reduce environmental Council in the first half of resolved through enhanced footprints. The focus in 2012 2011. The transition to a multilateralism and the is on the political greener economy is also a central role of the UN.

4 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012

BUSINESS

Minister of Economic Development and Technology Radovan Žerjav

One of the key tasks of the new government is to create a competitive business environment, which will not be possible without foreign investments, Economic Development and Technology Minister Radovan Žerjav has said in an interview with the STA. He hopes politicians will show unity in key moments. The unpopular measures that will need to be envisaged its transfer to the competitiveness - changes to introduced are already Economic Development and the tax system, introduction sparking protest among trade Technology Ministry. of a cap on social unions, but Žerjav sees any However, he pointed out contributions and tax breaks indirect threats from the that a special operative body for businesses. The unions as premature, given would be formed through government will also aim to that the government had not which he would give cut red tape for businesses put forward any proposals economic attaches detailed and change insolvency yet. instructions about their work legislation. According to the minister, and monitor their Asked how the the government showed it achievements. Slovenia's government will ease the was serious about savings exports are rising, but the credit crunch, the minister when it decided last trend of growth is said that without a capital Thursday to give no fresh significantly lower than in injection into the country's money to bail out the some other European biggest bank, NLB, the organisers of the 2013 countries. He pointed out problem of the banking Winter Universiade in that ther are still reserves. sector would not be resolved. Maribor. Slovenia will also But the European market, However, a state- respond to global trends such where Slovenia mostly sponsored capital increase as the shifting of power from exports to, is struggling with could not be justified, which the West to East, in this serious problems and a new is why a strategic partner recpect economic diplomacy recession is on the horizon. will need to be found abroad, musts be quicke. He said that according to Žerjav he and Foreign Minister Karl Elaborating on how In general, the new Erjavec had agreed to keep the cabinet plans to help government will look for economic diplomacy under Slovenian companies cope balance between saving the wing of the Foreign with this, Žerjav highlighted money and promoting Ministry even though the measures from the coalition growth by keeping only coalition agreement agreement aimed at boosting efficient instruments, for

5 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 example among the relying on EU funds and development centres, and by foreign investments.

CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Legislative referendum on Family Law

The Slovenian or temporarily living in the elections no notification will National Assembly has Hungary and who wish to be sent automatically). called a legislative cast their vote at the above In either case the referendum on the Act on listed location or by mail are registration form must be Family Law, which will take required to file a registration filled at latest by 10 th March place on Sunday, March 25 th , form available at and mail to National 2012. www.dvk.gov.si at the latest by Electoral Commission, In Budapest voting 10 th March. Slovenska cesta 54 will be organized at the Slovenian citizens SI-1000 Ljubljana or sent by Embassy of Republic of with a registered permanent fax to: 00-386-1-433-1269, Slovenia, 1025 Budapest, residence in the Hungary can or scanned with signature by Csatárka köz 9, from 9 AM vote in person at the e-mail to: [email protected] . to 5 PM. Slovenian embassy in More information and Slovenian citizens Budapest or by mail by registration forms can be with a registered permanent registering at the National found at the National residence in the Republic of Electoral Commission Electoral Commission web Slovenia but who are visiting (unlike in the case of site: www.dvk.gov.si

CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Celebration of Slovenian Cultural Day in Budapest

Slovenian cultural celebration, that took place holiday, 8 th February - day – Prešeren Day – was on 11 th February Prešeren Day. celebrated in Budapest The Slovenian with numerous events. society in Budapest Embassy organized celebrated on 11 th February concerts of young 2012 the Slovenian cultural musicians from Academy holiday, 8 th February – of Music in Ljubljana on Prešeren Day. The 23 rd February, ELTE celebration was attended by Slavic chair talks with numerous older and younger publisher on 21 st February The Slovenian members of the Slovenian and Slovenian society in society in Budapest minority in Hungary and th Budapest marked the event celebrated on 11 February their relatives. with its traditional 2012 the Slovenian cultural

6 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 Prof dr Štefan Luka č – principal of the chair of Slavic at the ELTE France Prešeren University and director of (3 December 1800 – 8 February 1849) Slavic Institute - spoke about the meaning of the cultural France Prešeren is considered one of the leading holiday. He addressed the poets of Slovenian literature, acclaimed not only importance of the greatest nationally or regionally, but also according to the Slovenian poet France standards of developed European literature. His Prešeren who could compete fervent, heartfelt lyrics, intensely emotional but with European never merely sentimental, have made him the chief contemporaries and representative of the Romantic school in Slovenia compared him with the great Prešeren’s legacy in Slovenian culture is enormous Hungarian romantic poet and he is generally regarded as the national poet. Sándor Pet ıfi. In 1944, the anniversary of this death, called The young members Prešeren Day, was declared as the Slovenian of the society read Cultural Holiday. In 1990, the seventh stanza of his Prešeren’s poems in was declared the national anthem of Hungarian and Slovenian Slovenia. In 1992, his effigy war portrayed on the language and the choir of the Slovenian 1000 banknote, and since 2007 his image Slovenian society in is on the Slovenian two-euro coin. Budapest performed at the n. event. On the 24 th of performed after the opening February Embassy of the address of Republic of Slovenia organized the concert in celebration of the Slovenian Cultural Day at the Ferenc Liszt Museum in Budapest.

Another celebration Guitar duo (Karmen of cultural day took place on Štendler, Izidor Erazem Minister Plenipotentiary st Grafenaure) 21 February at the ELTE Dubravka Šekoranja and University chair of Slavic rector of the Hungarian Languages. Mladen Pavi čic Music Academy dr András conducted talks with editor Batta. from “Europa” publisher László Lator, translators of literature Orsolya Gállos and Klára Körtvélyessy. and ColourFour saxophone č Fragments from their works quartet (Jan Gri ar, Matija and translations were red Marion, Štefan Starc, Bojan aloud in Hungarian and Sumrak) from Academy of Slovenian language. Music in Ljubljana

7 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 Carnival festivities and parades across Slovenia in February

Kurent wears heavy boots and special red or green leg warmers, while the head is covered by a towering furry hat festooned with ribbons, and a mask typically sporting a long, red tongue. A wooden club is normally carried in the left hand. By the end of carnival, a Kurent-Korant collects many handkerchiefs (given by girls and women), which he carries tied around the club. The carnival is the Virtually every town The Kurent or Korant time before Christian fast, and village in Slovenia gets its origin in popular and it is a period of celebrated weekend on 18 tradition. Traditionally, the abundance of food and drink and 19 February with Kurent`s outfit used to be in Slovenia as well, therefore carnival festivities reserved only for unmarried we say that it has a »greasy culminating in parades and men. mouth«. Carnival parties. The biggest carnival There are two types celebrations do not go by ‘Kurentovanje 2012’ was of Slovenian Kurent-Korant: without carnival organised in the medieval the so-called »feathery« doughnuts. town of Ptuj for the 52nd (from the town of Markovci) time with a parade of and the »horned« ones (from between 4,000 and 5,000 Haloze), with the difference costumes from across the being mainly in the look of world. the head covering. The most famous The Kurent-Korant traditional carnival figure of wears a massive sheep skin the region is Kurent or garment, and around its waist Korant, after which the hangs a chain with huge bells Other popular specialities carnival in Ptuj is named. At attached to it. Kurent-Korant include homemade sausages, the same time, it is the most originally represented a dried ribs, and brandy. popular and frequent demon, who, with its wild traditional carnival figure in dance and bell-noise, chased the Ptuj and Drava fields, away winter and called for and in Haloze hills. spring.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Slovenian Language courses in Ljubljana

The Centre for Language organizes three courses in Slovene as a Second/Foreign March 2012:

8 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012 Intensive Morning the 80-hour course is Once a week for 3 school Course of Slovene (12–23 intended for doctors, dentists hours, Thursdays from 6.00 March: the 40-hour course of and other medical staff to 8.30 pm at the Centre for Slovene is a great whose first language is not Slovene (12 Kongresni trg). opportunity to learn the most Slovene. It is held twice a Suitable for very busy people vital communication forms week from 5.00 to 8.30 pm For more detailed or extend your knowledge of at the Medical Chamber of information and prices please Slovene in just two weeks. Slovenia (162 Dunajska). visit the following web site: Specialized Intensive Let’s Taste Slovene www.centerslo.net Course for Doctors and (29 March–7 June): a 30- Dentists (19 March–30 May: hour course for beginners.

Embassy of Republic of Slovenia 1025 Budapest Cseppk ı utca 68 Tel: + 36 1 438 56 00 Budapest.embassy.si

The Slovenian Newsletter is produced by the Embassy of Republic of Slovenia in Budapest and is available on www.budapest.embassy.si

You are most welcome to send us your comment or request for a subscritipon on: [email protected] Editor: Gabriela Hajós

9 Slovenian Embassy Budapest, monthly »Slovenian Newsletter«, February 2012