Slovenia Newsletter

November 2011

CONTENTS

Bilateral relations - Visit of Minister Žeks to the Raba region - Meeting of Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret with Rector of Eötvös Loránd University, Prof. dr. Barna Mezey - Visit of State Secretary for Development

and EU Affairs Andreja Jerina in

-Visit of Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret Diplomats of the Embassy at the Slovenia and to the Raba pavilion—Diplomats’ Charity Fair 2011 region (Photo: Embassy of RS) -Working lunch with Members of the Hungarian Parliament for Vas and Zala Counties - Slovenian environmental exhibition at the Central European Regional Environmental Center

Politics - Minister Žbogar's visit to Romania - UNESCO Conference brings success for Slovenia

- ITF evaluates achievements Ljubljana International Film Festival - Minister Žbogar's meeting with MFA of (Photo: UKOM) Kosovo Business and Economy

- Brussels Forecasts Growing Deficit, Low Growth for Slovenia - Slovenia Makes Progress in Energy

Efficiency

Culture and society - The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia

at the Diplomats' Charity Fair

-Ljubljana International Film Festival Winter at Lake Bled (LIFFe) (Photo: http://www.greatrail.com/) -Slovenian-Owned Company Makes World's Biggest Quran -New National Encyclopaedia, »Slovenika« launched at University of Ljubljana - Slovenia's First Cultural Centre Abroad to Open in Vienna

BILATERAL RELATIONS Meeting of Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret Visit of Minister Bostjan Žeks to the with Rector of Eötvös Loránd University, Raba region Prof. dr. Barna Mezey On 27 October 2011, Ambassador Darja Bavdaž On 12 November, Minister for Slovenians Kuret met Rector of Eötvös Loránd University, Abroad Dr Bostjan Žeks visited the Slovenian Prof. dr. Barna Mezey, to discuss possibilities community of the Raba region. In for strengthening cooperation between

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Monošter/Szentgotthárd, Minister Žeks met Slovenian universities and ELTE University. with mayor Gábor Huszár, to discuss They emphasized the importance of successful cooperation at the local level and the role of the cooperation already established between ELTE Slovenians in the development of and Slovenian universities, especially among the Monošter/Szentgotthárd. On the occassion of departments of Slavic Studies and Slovenian the visit, Minister Žeks and mayor Huszár language. They also agreed on the strengthening planted a lime tree, donated by the of cooperation between ELTE and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to the University of Ljubljana (UL), University of Slovenian community of Porabje in Monošter/ Maribor (UM) and the University of Nova Szentgotthárd in celebration of the twentieth Gorica (UNG), Rector Prof. dr. Mezey anniversary of the independence of Slovenia. emphasized the University's interest in Minister Žeks visited Szombathely to meet concluding an agreement on with professors of the Slavic Department of the cooperation with UL, UM, and renewal of the Savaria University Center and to the memorial cooperation with UNG. Participants of the room dedicated to Agoston Pavel. Minister discussion agreed on the importance of Žeks also met with the Mayor of Szombathely preparing a Slovenian-Hungarian / Hungarian- dr. Tivadar Puskás. Minister Žeks called for the Slovenian scientific dictionary. In this context, strengthening cross-border cooperation, Prof. dr. Mezey indicated willingness of ELTE particularly in the field of economy and culture. scientists working in the Hungarian Academy of Dr. Zeks attended the presentation of the first Sciences to participate in the project. Prof. CD of the choir »Sombotelske spomin čice«, Mezey confirmed, partnership opportunities also which plays significant role in the preserving of exist for joint programs and EMUNI ELTE. cultural heritage and folk songs in the Raba Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret expressed readiness region, and the appearance of folk singers from for cooperation with ELTE and interest in the Monošter/ Szentgotthárd and Števanovcev. preparation of a joint event in 2012, when Minister Žeks extended a special award to pro- Slovenia and will commemorate the rector of the University of Western Hungary 20th anniversary of the establishment of and president of Savaria University Center, diplomatic relations. Prof. Gadányi, for his academic work in the development of Slovenian Studies at the Working lunch with Members of the Savaria University Center and strengthening of Hungarian Parliament for Vas and Zala the position of the Slovenian minority in Counties Sombotelu and Raba region. On 15 November, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest held a working lunch for members of the Hungarian Parliament for Vas and Zala Counties. The meeting was also attended by mayors from the counties, the Deputy State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Justice and co-chair of the Mixed Commission for Slovenian-Hungarian minorities Zsuzsanna Répás, Chairman of the National Slovenian Self Minister Žeks and Major Huszár planting a tree in Government, Martin Ropoš, President of the Monošter in celebration of Slovenia's 20th Association of Slovenians in Hungary Joze anniversary of Independence Photo: Embassy of RS Hirnök, President of the Slovenian Association in Budapest Irena Pavlic, Director of Development Agencies of Slovenian Landscape

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Visit of the delegation of State Secretary Andrew Smith, co-chair of the Slovenian- for Government Office for Development Hungarian Businessman Association Péter and EU Andreja Jerina in Budapest Lőrincze, representative of the Port of Koper Upon invitation of State Secretary for European Gordan Ban and representative Slovenian Affairs Enik ő Gy őri, Slovenian State Secretary Railways Rosa Varga. The joint meeting of of the Government Office for Development and delegates from Vas and Zala Counties, the European Affairs Andreja Jerina visited to representatives of Slovenian minority Budapest on 9 and 10 November, 2011. The organizations and business life was an visit took place in the framework of meeting of opportunity for the presentation of minority the working group "Friends of Cohesion views in the light of preparations for the Policy", in the light of preparations for the EU's cardinal laws that will influence the situation of multiannual financial framework for 2014- the Slovenian minority in Hungary. The meeting 2020. In the margins of the meeting, bilateral was also an opportunity to explore possibilities consultations between the Slovenian and for strengthening cross-border cooperation and Latvian delegation took place, addressing for promoting economic development of the future EU cohesion policy. State Secretary Slovenian-Hungarian border region. Jerina also met with the Hungarian Coordinator of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Etelka Barsiné Pataky. Participants of the meeting raised the possibility of strengthening cooperation between the Slovenian and Hungarian side in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Meeting with MPs of Zala and Vas Counties at the Embassy of RS (Photo: Embassy of RS) Visit of Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret and Georg von Habsburg to the Raba region Slovenian environmental exhibition at Upon invitation of the National Slovenian Self the Central European Regional Government and the Association of Slovenians Environmental Center in Hungary, on 21 November Ambassador On 17 November, a Slovenian environmental Darja Bavdaž Kuret visited to the Raba region exhibition entitled "Water, our hope" opened at in company of Georg von Habsburg, president the premises of the Regional Environmental of the Hungarian Red Cross and Hungary's Center in Szentendre. The opening took place in ambassador at large. In Gornij Senik, the framework of the Annual Meeting of the Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret and Georg von REC General Assembly. The opening address Habsburg met with president of the National was delivered by the Ambassador of Slovenia Slovenian Self Government Martin Ropoš, Darja Bavdaž Kuret. The exhibition displayed visited to the Gornij Senik Bilingual Slovenia's natural heritage, with its diverse Elementary School, and to the Kühar Memorial landscapes and rich flora and fauna. The House. In Monošter, the Ambassador and European Landscape Convention, adopted in Georg von Habsburg met president of the 2000 on the initiative of the Committee of Association of Slovenians in Hungary Jože Ministers of the Council of Europe, promotes Hirnök, visited the Slovenian Cultural and the protection of landscapes, strives for their Information Center that houses the editorial assessment and aims to raise awareness of the offices of Slovenian-language weekly Porabje preciousness and value of landscapes, which and Radio Monošter. During the visit, Georg reflect a combination of natural processes and von Habsburg commended the achievements of human activity. the Slovenian minority in the preservation of

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Slovenian language, cultural heritage and the preservation of local communities. During the ITF evaluates 2011 achievements visit, von Habsburg and Ambassador Bavdaž On 8 November, the board of advisers of the Kuret emphasized the importance of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Slovenian minority community in forming a Victims Assistance (ITF) met in Ig near bridge between Slovenia and Hungary and in Ljubljana to present to the public the fund's the establishment of European unity. activities in 2011 and plans for the future. The event was attended by Minister of Health POLITICS Dorijan Marusic, as well as ambassadors of Minister Žbogar's visit to Romania donor countries and representatives of On 9 November in Bucharest MFA Žbogar met organisations which cooperate with ITF. The his Romanian counterpart Teodor Baconschi as Director of the US-based Center for part of his working visit to Romania. The International Stabilization and Recovery at the ministers discussed possibilities to strenghten James Madison University in Virginia Kenneth economic cooperation, the situation in the R. Rutherford, one of the most prominent eurozone, EU enlargement, and the Danube activists in demining, presented the global Strategy. The ministers discussed issues of situation. Most issues regarding mines - from economic management in the EU, exchanged the ban on their use to the ban on exports - have views on energy safety in Europe, focusing on been resolved, but the victims remain, and they the planned energy corridor projects. They also are mostly civilians, Rutherford told the STA, exchanged views on the EU enlargement saying that raising awareness about mine process and Croatia, and the situation in the victims was one of the key challenges for the Western Balkans. The ministers discussed the future. He also pointed to a new problem which European Neighbourhood Policy, the situation will need to be addressed in the future - the use in Eastern Partnership countries and the EU of improvised explosive devices especially in Strategy for the Danube Region, which could Iraq, Afghanistan and Colombia. ITF director help deepen European integration processes. Dorijan Marsic said the fund's half-year report They discussed issues regarding Euro- boast some great achievements, especially in Mediterranean Partnership and the synergy of demining activities in SE Europe, South the Black Sea, touching also on the conditions Caucasus, central Asia and the Middle East. in the countries of the south Mediterranean and Among future projects director Marsic the Middle East. During his visit to Romania underlined the disposal of ammunition stock. minister Žbogar met Romanian Deputy Prime The ITF is also expanding its activities Minister Marko Bela and Economy Minister concerning human security and assistance to Ion Ariton. On the sidelines of the visit, victims of conflicts, particularly in Libya, he minister Žbogar met representatives of added. Between January and July 2011, the ITF Slovenian companies working in Romania. received some EUR 6.5m in donations, which were spent on demining activities, probing of mine-infested territories, destruction of

conventional weapons and assistance to mine

victims. More than a half of the money raised was allocated to demining activities in Bosnia, Croatia, Albania and other countries of SE Europe. The ITF plans to raise another EUR 11.6m by the end of the year.

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UNESCO Conference brings Minister Žbogar's meeting with success for Slovenia MFA of Kosovo At the 36th General Conference of the United On 21 November in Ljubljana Slovenian and Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Kosovo foreign ministers, Samuel Žbogar and Organisation (UNESCO) held between 25 Enver Hoxhaj, signed a protocol on cooperation October and 10 November, a Slovenian between their ministries. The ministers said the institute has been granted the special status of a economic cooperation between the countries regional centre for library information systems. was on the rise, while Kosovo would like to see Education and Sport Minister Igor Luksic has trade and technical assistance boosted to help assessed the naming of the Maribor-based the country eventually join the EU. Turning to Institute of Information Science (IZUM) a political topics, the pair exchanged views on the UNESCO category II centre as a success for situation in the region. Žbogar expressed hopes Slovenia. The regional centre will boost the that the dialogue between Belgrade and independence of the participating countries Prishtina under the auspices of the EU would (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, succeed and that agreements reached would be Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia) in implemented. Hoxhaj confirmed, the future of developing their library information systems both Kosovo and Serbia is in European and systems for monitoring research results, integration and Kosovo's first goal in this minister Luksic added. (UKOM) respect is visa liberalisation. According to Žbogar expects European institutions to provide more support to reforms in Kosovo, the minister BUSINESS AND ECONOMY suggests that talks on Kosovo's agreement on visa liberalisation with the EU be launched as soon as possible as Kosovo is the only country Slovenia Makes Progress in in the region which does not have an agreement Energy Efficiency yet. (UKOM) Slovenia has made good progress in efficient use of energy since 2008, saving 2.8% of energy in 2008-2010, which is 0.3 percentage points above plans, head of the Energy Brussels Forecasts Growing Deficit, Directorate Janez Kopac said at a conference Low Growth for Slovenia on obstacles to renewables held in Ljubljana. The progress is the product of various The European Commission projects Slovenia's measures, mainly counselling for households, GDP to grow by 1% in 2012 and by 1.5% in product labelling and subsidies provided by the 2013. The general government deficit is to Eco Fund. While Kopac lauded the widen from 5.3% of GDP next year to 5.7% in contribution of households and industry, he 2013. The November report for Slovenia draws said no results were seen in the public sector, attention to a sharp slowdown in credit growth due to inaction in the past. However, in 2009 this year, which has even turned negative for the drawing of cohesion funds was launched for domestic bank lending to non-financial energy renovation of public buildings. So far corporations, a development that impacts on contracts have been awarded for EUR 52m investment. Responding to the downgrade, the worth energy renovation of hospitals, EUR Slovenian Finance Ministry said that the 16m for schools and EUR 20m for the homes Commission failed to take into account the for the elderly, with a public call currently spending cuts included in the budget for 2012. being prepared for EUR 7m available for The ministry moreover pointed to a renewed energy overhaul of university colleges and attempt to adopt an extension of the freeze on pensions, public sector pay and welfare benefits

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November 2011 student dorms. Meanwhile, EUR 33m worth of to 2012 before the end of this year. The projects have been subsidised since 2008 as ministry also noted that the Commission had part of a programme of subsidies for biomass conceded that Slovenia's structural deficit had district heating. An invitation for applications been reduced by 0.9% this year, and thus for subsidies for geothermal energy use will be acknowledged success in the efforts to reduce out next year. Kopac also pointed to a scheme the deficit in line with the requirements of the for the subsidising of electricity from excess deficit reduction plan. The ministry renewable sources under which nearly 800 expects that the new government will draw up a renewables-fuelled power plants have been supplementary budget that would serve as a built, most of them solar power plants. EUR basis for other necessary measures to achieve 45m was earmarked for subsidies last year, the fiscal consolidation in line with the stability biggest beneficiary being biogas power plants, programme. The Institute of Macroeconomic while this year the figure will increase to EUR Analysis and Development, a government think- 75m, with the bulk of funds probably going to tank, indicated on Wednesday it was likely to solar plants. As the growth in photovoltaic downgrade its growth projections due to a installations is too fast, Kopac said that changes deterioration in the international economic were planned to "cool down" this growth. environment.Further information on prognosis Meanwhile, he pointed to lack of progress in by analysts: www.ukom.si wind farms, with Slovenia being the only EU country aside Malta without a single farm.

CULTURE AND SOCIETY New National Encyclopaedia, »Slovenika« launched at University The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia of Ljubljana at the Diplomats' Charity Fair A new national encyclopaedia, Slovenika, was On 20 November, the first diplomats’ charity fair launched at the headquarters of the University was held in Budapest, organized by the Deputy of Ljubljana on 18 November. The concise, Heads of Missions and Ambassadors’ Spouses two-volume encyclopaedia, published by Club. The event was hosted by Hotel Mladinska knjiga, was compiled in cooperation Intercontinental. The charity fair’s honorary patron, with over 100 established Slovenian experts and spouse of the Hungarian President, Ms. Katalin a number of top Slovenian institutions. The new Makray opened the event. Participants of the fair national encyclopaedia features 7,961 entries, included embassies accredited to Hungary as well as representatives of international organizations 1,118 photographs, 991 portraits, 207 tables and (e.g. UNICEF) and Hungarian organizations that 68 maps. presented domestic products including traditional meals and beverages. The charity fair’s program Slovenia's First Cultural Centre also included a variety of cultural and artistic events Abroad to Open in Vienna and children's corner, at the raffle game, 30 valuable prizes were won by participants. The Slovenia's first cultural centre abroad »Skica« is Embassy of Slovenia contributed a weekend at to open in Vienna the end of this year. Director Lake Bled, sponsored by Hotel Jelovica. The of the cultural institute is Mrs Ana Novak. Skica income from the charity sales is offered to the is to serve as a model for the formation of Roma community in Esztergom, to SOFI, an Slovenia's future centres abroad in capitals organization for autistic children and to victims of including Paris, Berlin and London. The centre domestic violence. Diplomats of the Slovenian Embassy and their families presented donations and will function as part of Slovenia's embassy in gifts as well as Slovenian products marketed in Vienna, dedicated to the promotion of Slovenian Hungary (Karst ham, Vipava wine, Union and innovation and creativity in . The centre

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Laško beer, Medis dietary supplements). Slovenian is to be housed by Korotan, a Slovenian-owned tourism promotion materials, presenting Slovenian student dorm and hotel in the Austrian capital. It sights, were widely popular among visitors. At the will feature an art studio and two apartments for stand, visitors had the chance to taste traditional artists and scientists. The centre forthcoming Slovenian pršut, Karst ham and mortadella, task will be to promote the Maribor 2012 introduced at the charity fair by the vendor of Karst European Capital of Culture project through products in Hungary. various activities, including event promotions in Vienna, where some 40 foreign centres and institutes are located. Skica is a joint project of the Foreign Ministry, the Culture Ministry and the Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry.

Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe) launched The 22nd Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe), Slovenia's biggest film event, was Diplomats of the Embassy at the Slovenia pavilion at launched on 9 November, bringing 12 days the Diplomats Charity fair '11 packed with more than 100 films and Photo: Embassy of RS accompanying events. The festival aimed to feature a variety of genres and satisfy a wide Slovenian-Owned Company Makes scale of tastes, starting with Irish director John World's Biggest Quran Michael McDonagh's comedy "The Guard", featuring Slovenian actress Katarina Cas. The The world's largest Quran, ornamented with more pre-premieres section hosted latest films by than a hundred precious stones, made by the Slovenian ARC Group, a Gorizia-based company celebrities such as Francois Ozon, the Dardenne was transported to its destination, one of the largest brothers, Nanni Moretti, Lars von Trier, Woody mosques in Russia's Kazan, on 11 November. The Allen, Andree Arnold, Pedro Almodovar and book measures 200x150 centimetres and weighs David Cronenberg. Slovenian director Nejc 500 kilos with all its ornaments. The extraordinary Gazvoda's film »Izlet« (Outing) competed for book was prepared for over a year, the precious the festival's main award, the Kingfisher Award, materials and project cost over one million Euros, against nine debut and second feature films. the book has the world's biggest turquoise on its LIFFe programs also included a selection of cover. The stone measures 14 centimetres in films from Finland in the 1940s and 50s, an diameter and is three centimetres thick. All four insight into the Spanish avant-garde film school, corners of the book's covers are ornamented with a section featuring 15 short films, and the pulverised corals. The rich ornamentation of the front cover also includes a dozen of green Kinobalon programme for younger film lovers. aventurines, four red jaspers, four amethysts, two Organised as part of the accompanying lapis lazulis and two yellow topazes, while the programme was a meeting dedicated to co- turquoise in the centre is surrounded by 32 zircons. productions, a panel on film adapted for the A total of 113 precious and semi-precious stones visually impaired or hard of hearing, and a are installed on the book's golden and gold-plated photo exhibition by Fellini expert Gideon decorations, which were made in a filigree Bachmann. workshop in Milan. The pages in the book are made from special paper, made in the UK. The pages are so big that it takes six people to turn them. The book is exhibited as a relic in a mosque in Kazan and it is to be opened and read only on special

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November 2011 occasions, Nedjan Bratasevec, member of ARC Group and Slovenia's honorary consul in Poland announced to the press. Individual parts of the book were made at different locations around the world. The book was printed in Trieste, where more than 30 different experts worked on the project. The final act in the assembling of the book was the fixing of its covers, which took place in Novara, Italy. There the record-breaking Quran was recently presented to the press and there is where it will be taken over by the owner with a private plane today.

ARC Group, owned by Bratasevec and Andrej Cernatic, has already made several rare and special books, mostly for clients from Russia and the

Middle East.

Photo : http://www.milli.az/news/world/80220.html : The world’s biggest Quran made by Slovenian company ARC was presented in Kazan, the capital of the Russian republic of Tatarstan.

VELEPOSLANIŠTVO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

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