Newsletter April 2011

CONTENTS

Politics - President Danilo Türk at the Arraiolos Group meeting in -PM Pahor's official visit to London -President Türk's bilateral talks with Pres. of

Armenia -President Türk's bilateral talks with China's high representative Economy Arraiolos Group, Summit, April 810 -Slovenian-Croatian economic cooperation fostered Photo: www.keh.hu by Presidential meeting -Slovenia earmarks EUR 6BN for National Reform Program -US delegation consults PM Pahor on investments in Slovenia -Gorenje introduces premium brand Bilateral Ties -Business Forum of Electric Industry Enterpreneurs at the Embassy of RS - Maribor-Szombathely Foresters' meeting at the Embassy

Decrease of CO2 emission in Slovenia -Slovenian Culture Day in Kisvárda, Hungary Photo: www.ekoplanet.net -Slovenian contemporary poetry presentation in Budapest Events of the HU EU Presidency Independence-20 years -Informal meeting on Demography and family - Memoirs of the 1991 SlovenianWorld Congress- policy, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 31 March-1 April Irene Pavli č, Association of Slovenians in Budapest 2011 Culture and Society -Informal meeting of Ministers of Health, -Slovenian writers at the International Book Festival Budapest, Gödöll ő, 4-5 April 2011 in Budapest -Informal meeting of Ministers of Economy -Celebration of Families with Europe Festival in (ECOFIN), Budapest, Gödöll ő, 7-8 April, 2011 Budapest -Informal meeting on Competitiveness, R&D, ő - Slovenia's Carbon-dioxide emission decreased Budapest, Gödöll , 11-12 April, 2011 9.3% in 2009 -Informal meeting on Competitiveness, Industry, -Book Days concluding 's World Book Budapest,Gödöll ő,12-13 April, 2011 Capital Stint

POLITICS PM Pahor's official visit to President Türk at the Arraiolos London Group Meeting in Hungary On April 12 Prime Minister had On April 8-9 President Danilo Türk attended official visit in London for discussion with the informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group in British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Budapest. The presidents' plenary meeting deputy Nick Clegg. The focus of discussion focused on three main topics: "Macro-regional was the strengthening of bilateral cooperation economic cooperation in the – between Slovenia and Britain, the EU from the Baltic Sea to the Danube Strategy",

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

enlargement to Western Balkans and the "Multiculturalism and the European identity – situation in Libya. During his visit to London Assimilation or integration", "EU 2020, New PM Pahor also attended a Slovenian-British challenges in the European Union". In the investment forum. At the forum, the PM framework of the program, President Türk emphasized, Slovenia is open to foreign participated in several bilateral meetings with investment in all sectors of its economy to act members of the Arraiolos Group. Slovenia is a as an engine of development. As part of the new member to the Arraiolos Group conference, Pahor met the president of the established in 2003, the group received its European Bank for Reconstruction and name after the location of the first meeting in Development (EBRD) Thomas Mirow and first . The group was formed as a forum for EBRD vice-president Ronald Freeman, with EU presidents, its mission focuses on the whom he discussed cooperation between the implementation of sustainable development bank and Slovenia. Besides PM Pahor, Finance and environmental policies. The meeting of Minister Franc Križani č, Transport Minister eight European presidents of the member states Patrick Vla čič and State Secretary for Higher of the Arraiolos Group gained new Education, Science and Technology Joszef significance, as this time, the meeting was Gyorkos participated at the conference. hosted by Hungary during the semester of its EU presidency. The Arraiolos Group meeting President Türk's bilateral talks was attended by presidents of , with President of Armenia , Hungary, , , , Portugal, Slovenia and .

On April 13 in Brdo pri Kranju President President Türk's bilateral talks Danilo Türk had official meeting with with Chinese High Rep. Li President of Armenia Serzh Sargsian. The Changchun discussion focused on Eastern Partnership, friendly relations between Armenia and On April 15 in Ljubljana President Türk held Slovenia, and also touched on the conflict in bilateral cooperation talks with Chinese high the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Slovenian and representative Li Changchun, a member of the Armenian foreign ministers Samuel Žbogar Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese and Eduard Nalbandian, signed an agreement Communist Party. The discussion focused on on cooperation in the field of European cultural and economic cooperation, President integration. The presidents underlined the Türk and Li also discussed the recent launch of importance of cultural ties, Slovenia's the Confucian Institute at Ljubljana's Faculty of Minister of Economy Darja Radi č and Economics and Slovenian language courses Armenia's Minister of Economy Tigran offered at some of China's universities. Davtian, signed a cooperation agreement in the The meeting also touched on multilateral sector of tourism. During his visit, President topics, President Türk acknowledged China's Sargsian met with Prime Minister Borut Pahor contribution to peace and stability, and claimed and Speaker Pavel Gantar, as well as Ljubljana support to better represented in institutions Mayor Zoran Jankovi č. such as the IMF. During his visit to Ljubljana Li Changchun also met with PM Borut Pahor and Speaker Pavel Gantar.

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

ECONOMY Slovenia earmarks EUR 6BN for National Reform Programme Gorenje Introducing Premium Brand Gorenje, the Velenjebased maker of household The Slovenian government earmarks EUR 3.05bn appliances, will launch a premium brand of this year for the National Reform Programme, a kitchen appliances called Gorenje+ in selected set of measures Slovenia will adopt to implement European markets in a bid to boost the sales of the EU's Europe 2020 strategyand an additional upmarket products with higher added value. EUR 3.15bn next year. The programme for 2011 Gorenje+ is a strategic brand that will be 2012 period envisages 3% of GDP invested in developed in the long term as Gorenje's leading research and development . The inclusive European brand. The brand will be gradually growth segment of the programme envisages that introduced in all markets where the segment of 75% of people aged between 20 and 64 will be kitchen studios is developed enough. The brand employed and that the number of poor will be will be launched in Germany, Austria, Russia, reduced by 40,000, while the sustainable Ukraine, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic and growth segment envisages that the climate and Slovenia this spring. energy goals of the EU will be reached. The Presidential meeting to foster government plans to encourage growth and Slovenian-Croatian business ties development of companies, improve public services and eliminate administrative obstacles. President Türk and Croatian president Ivo EUR 269h has been earmarked for this policy in Josipovic attended a business round table in 2010, and an additional EUR 212m next year. A Tuhelj, on April 12, to discuss new national programme for higher education expansion of business cooperation between and the new research and innovation strategy are Slovenia and Croatia. With Croatia's entry to the proposed for the 20112020 period and the new EU, the already successful development of strategic development document for the 2011 investments, joint projects and presentations on 2015 period. The government intends to spend a third markets, the cooperation in the fields of total of EUR 1.35bn in 2010 and 2011 in this economy, culture and tourism is expected to department. Furthermore, EUR 373m has been continue. According to the vicechair of the earmarked for education and sport for this year Croatian Chamber of Commerce Vesna Trnkop and an additional EUR 397m for next year, while Tanta, trade between the countries grew by culture will get a total of EUR 38m. Labour 10% to EUR 2bn last year despite the crisis. market social security policies will be of key During the meeting President Türk and President importance for inclusive growth. Measures in the Josipovic laid a foundation stone for a new area of labour market will cost EUR 329m in 2010 luxury hotel in the spa resort Terme Tuhelj, and 2011 and envisage the establishment of owned by Slovenian spa operator Terme Olimia, active employment policy programmes, emphasising the importance of the EUR 12m deregulation of professions, and structural and investment. institutional changes on the labour market. Priority infrastructural investments, worth a PM Pahor's consultation with US total of EUR 745m, include upgrade of the railway delegation in Slovenia infrastructure, construction of development axes, Prime Minister Borut Pahor received a delegation modernisation of the port of Koper, creation of of former politicians and diplomats from the US the service of integrated public transportation and on April 13, discussing the situation in the Middle restructuring of national motorway company East, North Africa and the Western Balkans. The DARS. Measures as part of the energy policy delegation, led by former Governor of New York are worth EUR 112m and include institutional George Pataki, included former US ambassador to changes, while environmental and spatial Slovenia Thomas Robertson, diplomat Herbert planning policies (EUR 422m) include climate Walker and businessman Michael Neidorff. The change and measures to cut emissions, delegation was interested in investment construction of environmental infrastructure and opportunities in Slovenia, Central Europe and the management of protected areas. Along with an Western Balkans. At the meeting, PM Pahor amended stability programme, the government presented advantages of the Slovenian market, has sent the National Reform Programme to the opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) European Commission, which will assess both in Slovenia and the government's crisis and documents. competitiveness measures.

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

BILATERAL RELATIONS Business Forum of Slovenian and Hungarian Electric Industry Enterpreneurs Szombathely-Maribor Forestry meeting at the Embassy of RS at the Embassy of RS On April 13, representatives of the Forestry Associations of the cities of Szombathely and Maribor visited the Embassy of Slovenia. Discussions with Ambassador Darja Bavdaž-Kuret focused on potential fields of cooperation between Vas County forestry associations and Maribor.

Slovenian Culture Day in Kisvárda, Hungary In the framework of the international program of the Public Fund for Village Culture, on April 17 an exhibition of Slovenian woodcarvers and works by the DanubeRegion International Artisans' Group opened in the settlement of Crencovci. The program continues with the international woodcarvers' camp, whose opening event is Ambassador Bavdaž-Kuret greeting the Association organized by the Public Fund in the town of of Electric Industry and company representatives Kisvárda. In collaboration with local civic organizations, on 2011 May 9, the Day of Europe, On April 21, a Business Forum for Slovenian and the »Day of Slovenia« is celebrated with the Hungarian Electric Industry Entepreneurs was opening of the international exhibition of held at the Embassy of RS . The forum was woodcarvers, and a roundtable talk is held in the attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Municipal Library with Jókaiawardwinner author, Slovenia Darja Bavdaž Kuret, President of the Judit ZagoreczCsuka. Slovenia's artistic Association of Entrepreneurs in Electronic traditions will be discussed by Knight of Universal Industry Károly Gallé, the President of the Culture Srecko Ornik. Slovenian civilian Association of SlovenianHungarian Businessmen organizations will introduce famous sites of Marko Gabrijelčič, the representative of Slovenian Slovenia in brochures, flyers and posters. The Chamber of Commerce Leon Kepe. The Forum Patron of the annual program is H.E. Darja began with the introduction of the situation of Bavdaz Kuret, Ambassador of the Slovenian electronic industry market in Hungary and Republic in Budapest. Ambassador BavdažKuret Slovenia, and the introduction of the Association is invited to the opening to Aranyos Alkotóház, of Entrepreneurs in Electronic Industry. The event where the EU Roma strategy's local plans and was attended by the following Slovenian tasks will be introduced. companies: Hermi, Elektromaterial Lendava, Strojkoplast, Svetloba, Iskra MIS, Helios, Slovenian contemporary poetry presentation in Slovenske železnice, Dynacast. Budapest On April 21, Slovenian contemporary poet Primož Theater Day of Slovenian Association of Čučnik's recent selection of poetry was presented by Budapest on April 9 Nyitott Műhely literary association in Budapest.Following the presentation of new book, On April 9, the Association of Slovenians in entitled "Poems for unanswered calls", the Budapest celebrated the annual Theater Day with book's translators, Gábor Lanczkor and Roland guest performance of the Duo Fodor Theater group Orcsik coordinated discussion with the poet. Primož of the Slovenian Association in Hungary. The group Čučnik was born in 1971 Ljubljana where he lives and works. He is editor of Slovenian paper, operates since 2008, performing a repertoire of Literatura and director of Publisherhouse Šerpa. He comedies in the framework of the cultural programs is author of literary critiques, studies, essays and of the Slovenian Association in Monoster and poems, and translator of Polish and Br itish literature, Budapest. The Theater Day closed with the his works have been translated to several performance of Slovenian folk songs. languages. In Hungary, his works have been published in translation in periodicals Jelenkor, Fosszília, Műhely.

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

INDEPENDENCE 20YEARS We all shared a quiet happiness, a beautiful Memoires of Slovenia's first days of expectation. At that time we did not know that Independence soon we would need to leave Ljubljana. By Irene Pavli č As a Slovenian from the Raba region I was proud to participate at a largescale event like Ljubljana, June 1991—a fervent summer day, this. When I woke up at that time and watched at the World Congress of Slovenians out of the window I saw armed militia standing on top of a house across the street. I participated at the congress as representative What is happening here? I walked over to the delegated by the Association of Slovenians in Congress. Guests and delegations were filled Hungary. Delegations from all over the world with anxiety. News spread among the arrived already on Saturday and Sunday. We delegates, that Slovenia proclaims its participated at the Presidential reception and independence, since the December the meeting at the City Hall, and we attended referendum authorized the government to the church service held at the Franciscan detach Slovenia from . church by Tromostovje, a holy mass held for The Congress ended the other day. Delegates Slovenia.There is something in the air! We from Italy and Austria all left the country. are leaving for the reception at the City Hall. Those present said that the war began. We, Members of our community, from the Raba still staying, participated at a press region arrived to Ljubljana, representatives of conference. On Friday and Saturday my the Association of Slovenians in Hungary. friends warned, it is time to leave, the war is Helicopters circle above our heads. What is here. God knows what happens to us! this? Yugoslav colonels watching us? Maybe According to the plans after the Congress I they observe what Ljubljana is preparing for. had to travel to Murska Sobota by bus, where They want to pressure us…So many people my friends from Raba region to come to pick gather in the streets, in the squares. People are me up. At the bus station I was infomed that excited! buses do not transport to Murska Sobota, I stayed at the renowned Slon hotel. The other since military are already present there. What day, on Monday, the World Congress of shall I do!? I had to take the train through Slovenians began. First, high representatives Zagreb and Budapest. The train left early of the state greeted us. I was sitting among the dawn from the Ljubljana station. It passed presidency. Representatives talked about their slowly. Everywhere I looked I saw military, organizations, I introduced the Slovenian tanks and military cars. God save us from a community of the Raba region and the major war! Around noon we arrived to recently founded Association of Slovenians in Zagreb, where we got off to wait at the Hungary. At the time I was secretary to the station. In Zagreb people were tense, similarly Association of Slovenians in Budapest. to Ljubljana. Soon we got onto another train The conference room of Cankarjev Dom was to travel to Budapest. We were anxious. We filled with people. I sat down opposite to the got calm only when we passed the border to people present. The room was filled with a Hungary. Sunday afternoon we arrived to pleasant atmosphere, although I saw only a Budapest to Keleti station. I took a cab home. few familiar faces, we began to talk among My mother worried as the radio broadcasted us, as though we knew everyone for hundreds news of the Slovenian war. of years. Slovenians: from Canada, from the US, from Argentina and Australia. 5

Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

At home we hugged. We listened to the radio, CULTURE AND SOCIETY read the papers and were all anxious about the events in Slovenia. The leading daily of the Slovenian writers at the International time, Népszabadság, mentioned, Slovenian Book Festival and First Novel Festival soldiers all spoke foreign languages, so they in Budapest can converse in German, English or French. Of course, since all of the university students This year's International Book Festival volunteered to the Slovenian army, to defend introduced new works of Slovenian writers Slovenia—I thought. What exemplary Drago Jančar and Dušan Šarotar to the patriotism! I was proud of my mother Hungarian public while Tadej Golob 's new country. We all know that this war ended novel was featured at the First Novelist successfully. Yugoslavia fell apart, and Festival. On April 17, book reviews were held for by the publishing house Lettre Slovenia proclaimed its independence. For us, L'Harmattan, where Jančar's book »The for Slovenians of the Raba region, Slovenia a Nameless Tree« was introduced among veritable providence. God knows, what would other authors' works. The book reviews happen to us, Slovenians of the Raba region, were followed by roundtable discussions, particularly with us living in a diaspora in poetry readings, and the signing of the Hungary. In 1990 Slovenians of Budapest participating authors' books. founded the first independent Slovenian Drago Jančar (1948) is one of the most organization, the Association of Slovenians in prolific and famous contemporary Slovene writers. As a writer, playwright, essayist Budapest. and public intellectual in Slovenia, Jančar is »What did Slovenian independence bring to also known for his political commentaries us? Many things! During the past decade our and civic engagement. Jančar received a community arrived to Budapest from the number of literary awards, since 1995, he Raba region and—during the middle of the has been a member of the Slovenian past century—from the Hortobagy plains Academy of Sciences and Arts. Dušan from where they were not allowed to return to Šarotar (1968) is a renowned Slovenian writer, essayist and literary critic, born in their homeland. They could never learn what Murska Sobota, Slovenia. His most known Slovenia was—through the perspective of novel is "Billiard in the Dobray Hotel" land covered with war shrapnels and mines, (Bilijard v Dobrayu ), an account of one and th eset of barbed wires they called that night of a Holocaust survivor, following the other country, across the field of mines, end of World War II in the town of Murska »Slasko«. Since then, we established our own Sobota. Tadej Golob is an upcoming writer organization, with the support of Slovenia we whose work “Pig’s Feet” won last year’s had the opportunity to get to know our mother “Novel of the Year” Award in Slovenia. country, from Murska Sobota to Koper and Sveta Gora, from Novo Meste to Vrba, and we also visited Carinthia and Steierland in Austria. Despite our meager number, by now we feel we have a mother country and that is called SLOVENIA.«

The author is president of the Association of Slovenians in Budapest. International Bookfestival at Millenaris Park, Budapest

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

»Celebration of Families with Europe« Slovenia's CarbonDioxide Emission Festival in Budapest decreased 9.3% in 2009 Following the informal meeting of ministers of demography and family affairs, the Slovenia reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by "Celebration of Families with Europe" 9.3% to 19.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in festival opened in Budapest on 2011. April the crisis year of 2009, compared to the year 2. At the festival, member states were before, data from the Environmental Agency introduced to the public, primarily (ARSO) indicate. As a result of a slowdown in the of families and children, by an exposition of economy, emission from industry and transport toys, children's books, fell the most, by 16.8% and 13.3%, respectively, posters, CDs and other children's while industrial processes emitted one third less educational products characteristic to carbon dioxide than in 2008. Emission from specific countries, to promote and share households and other commercial use were down information on national and European 3.3% and by 15% lower than projected. Slovenia family policies. Slovenia was also exceeded the Kyoto goal by 0.7 million tonnes of represented at the festival and participated CO2 in 2008 and by 0.5 million tonnes in 2009. by promoting its familyand children's Preliminary estimates indicate the goal would be products. exceeded by 0.6 million tonnes in 2010. Ingmar Bergman's »Persona« by Considering these trends, ARSO expects the country is on track to meet Kyoto targets without Ljubljana's MINI TEATER at the applying flexible Kyoto mechanisms, or even National Theater in Budapest exceeding the goals, given unchanged policies for Among the international highlights of this excise duty on motor fuels. year’s Budapest Spring Festival, Book Days Concluding Ljubljana's the group of MINI Teater of Ljubljana, World Book Capital Stint known for its internationally renowned avantgarde shows débuted in Budapest with a performance of Ingmar In Ljubljana the 16th annual Slovenian Book Bergman’s theater piece, „Persona”. The Days were launched on April 18 as the concluding theater performance took place in the event of Ljubljana's stint as World Book Capital. framework of the Festival on April 12 at The ceremony was addressed by President Danilo the National Theater in Budapest. Türk, the president of the Slovenian Writers' Association and Culture Minister Majda Sirca. The festivities featured book stands, book readings and talks with acclaimed Slovenian authors like Tone Partljic, - Roza and , accompanied by concerts twice a day. Events related to the Slovenian Book Days are also getting under way in Maribor, Novo mesto, Velenje, Celje and Koper. After an eventful week in the centre of Ljubljana, the book festival culminated on World Book and Copyright Day, 23 April, when Ljubljana handed over its baton as UNESCO World Book Capital to Buenos MINI Theater performs Bergman's Aires. Slovenia is among the countries with the Persona at the National Theater, Budapest most books printed per capita, it had 1,800 publishers and 18 book festivals.

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Slovenia Newsletter April 2011

EVENTS OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU

Informal meeting on Demography and family policy, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 31 March-1 April 2011 -Attended by state secretary Anja Kopa č-Mrak and her delegation.

Informal meeting of Ministers of Health, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 4-5 April 2011 -Attended by Minister of Health Dorijan Marusi č and his delegation.

Informal meeting of Ministers of Finance (ECOFIN), Budapest, Gödöll ő, 7-8 April, 2011 -Attended by Minister of Finance Dr. Franz Križani č and his delegation.

Informal meeting on Competitiveness, R&D, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 11-13 April, 2011 -Attended by Director General for Science and Technology of the Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Jana Kolar.

Informal meeting on Competitiveness, Industry, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 12-13 April, 2011 -Attended by Director General for Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Economy, Mag. Edita Granatir Lapuh.

VELEPOSLANIŠTVO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

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