Slovenia Is Generally
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S T N E T N O C Foreword by Chargé d'Affaires .............................................................................4 Facts about Slovenia ............................................................................................5 Slovenia Ready to Lead the EU .............................................................................6 Interview with the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology .........10 Interview with the Mayor of Maribor ...................................................................14 The Slovene National Theatre Drama ..................................................................16 Cankarjev Dom: Cultural and Congress Centre in Ljubljana ................................18 Slovenia: Attractive Investment Destination ........................................................20 Business Profile of Pharmachem Group .............................................................21 Slovenia – India Trade .........................................................................................22 Slovenia, Your Business Partner .........................................................................26 Interview with the Ambassador of India ..............................................................32 Interview with the Vice President of Port of Koper .............................................36 Slovenia to Join the Schengen Area at the End of 2007 ......................................38 Goal: To Reach the Average EU Development Level ............................................42 Slovenia Invites Indian Tourists ..........................................................................46 ICPE: The Indo-Slovene Platform for International Cooperation .........................52 Business Profile of Telsima .................................................................................54 MASTHEAD Published by Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, New Delhi Tel: 4166 2891 • Fax: 4166 2895 • E-mail: [email protected] Produced by: Krest Publications Tel: +91-11-66304701/2/3 • Fax: +91-11-66304700 • E-mail: [email protected] Printing: Rave India Disclaimer: It is our goal to publish an error free magazine. Every effort is made to check, recheck and verify the authenticity of the information. However, we assume no responsibility for inadvertent mistakes. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Publisher. FOREWORD Slovenia Consolidating Ties with India t is a pleasure and a satisfaction for me to see that a special publication emphasizing Slovenia -India Irelations is being published on the occasion of Slovenian National Day 25th of June. The publication represents an opportunity to explore the possibilities of strengthening the existing good relations between Slovenia and India in many fields, even further. Although being a new European country, bonds between the people of Slovenia and India have a long tradition. It is an honour and privilege for me to be posted in India, a cradle of humankind that was known in an ancient story by Slovenian people as ‘Koromandia’ and was painted in the story as a land of happy people and a land of abundance. Being here gives me an opportunity to understand the diverse cultural and social traditions that make Mr. Miklavz Borstnik India so unique. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of Slovenia to the Republic of India Slovenia and India established diplomatic relations in 1992 and since then relations were growing steadily. Relations are warm and friendly. This is also reflected in the opening of the Indian Embassy in Slovenia this year that will contribute to the intensification of our bilateral relations and enhance dialogue between the two countries. In the first half of 2008 Slovenia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union that by itself is a great challenge for the country that became a member of the EU in 2004. I hope that we shall be able to contribute to the growing strategic partnership between European Union and India. I am happy to observe that trade and economic relations have also increased in the last few years. More and more Slovenian companies are looking for business opportunities in India which is becoming a global economic power. I strongly believe that there is space for more cooperation between the two countries in many fields and I welcome this publication as an excellent mean to further promote Slovenia - India relations and to the visibility of Slovenia in India. Slovenia in Focus 4 FACTS & FILES Facts about Slovenia Location in Europe: Larger Slovenian towns and population: Ljubljana 330,000 Maribor 103,000 Celje 40,000 Kranj 37,000 Velenje 27,100 Koper 24,600 Novo Mesto 22,600 Ptuj 19,000 --------------------------------------------------------------- Geographical division of Slovenia in percentage of territory: Alps 42.1 % Dinaric land 28.1 % Panonian plain 21.2 % Mediterranean 8.6 % ------------------------------------------------------------ Climate: Alpine in north-west Slovenia Continental (sub panonian) in central Slovenia Sub-Mediterranean in south-west Slovenia (coastline) --------------------------------------------------------------- Central Europe - Mediterranean Europe Economy: Area: 20,273 km2 The highest peak : Triglav (2,864 m) GDP per capita: US $ 19,200 Length of Slovenian Adriatic coastline: Currency : Euro ~43km --------------------------------------------------------------- Population: ~ 2,000,000 SLOVENIAN ANTHEM: Neightbouring countries and length of God’s blessing on all nations, borders: who long and work for that bright day Italy: 232 km when o’er earth’s habitations Austria: 330 km no war, no strife shall hold its sway; Hungary: 102 km Who long to see Croatia: 670 km that all men free no more shall foes, neighbours be. ---------------------------------------------------------------- France Preseren (1800-49) 5 Slovenia in Focus EU PRESIDENCY Slovenia Ready to Lead the EU An analysis of Slovenia’s EU membership to date and its impending EU presidency Three years of membership conditions have not changed advantage. Many also see the in EU drastically and that they still live possibilities of studying abroad in the same way as before. as very important. Just over one- It has been three years since fourth of respondents believe Slovenia along with other new If a referendum on joining the EU that the greatest advantage is the member states entered the EU. were called today, 80 per cent of freedom to cross national borders, However life did not change those who answered the question while one-fifth state that the most significantly in the three years would vote in favour, which shows important aspect of being an EU following Slovenia’s accession to that support for the EU remains member is to have the opportunity the EU. Slovenes still perceive the extremely strong. When asked to of working in some member EU in largely the same way, which state the most important aspect of states. Seventy-four per cent of all is to say that they are favourable being an EU member, the majority respondents claim that their living towards it. A great majority of answered that this fact alone (the standard has not changed since respondents believe that the status issue) was the greatest Slovenia in Focus 6 EU PRESIDENCY the accession to the EU, which The most important priority of the leads one to the conclusion that in the last three years people have Republic of Slovenia was fulfilled when not experienced any significant Slovenia joined the European Union on changes. May 1, 2004. The most obvious changes that have taken place include the abolition of customs at state borders, the possibility of studying in EU member states, and the prospect of finding employment in some of them. The most important priority of the Republic of Slovenia was fulfilled when Slovenia joined the European Union on May 1, 2004. In political, economic and cultural terms, Slovenia is part of the European area, which is, despite ethnic differences, based on common values as well as a common cultural and historic heritage. By joining the European Union, Slovenia is responding to the challenges facing independent countries in a globalised world. It is introducing the achievements of Government Session in progress modern European economic and institutional culture that enabled three years and Slovenia’s results euro. After three years Slovenia the EU Member States to attain in the assessment of individual serves as a positive example also the highest level of material and areas, the country has certainly with regard to further enlargements spiritual well-being. Slovenia has been the most successful in of the EU. The country intends to been harmonising its legislation negotiations on the future EU remain active, particularly in the with European Union legislation financial perspective. Between Western Balkans, and provide in order to create conditions for 2007 and 2013 Slovenia will the countries of the region with its a democratic society and a social be a net beneficiary of 2 billion experience and expertise. market economy. euro. Moreover, the Cohesion Funds will quadruple in the same The introduction of the euro Good economic results period. Slovenia is one of the more successful new member states in The introduction of the euro In this time the Government terms of efficient phasing of EU on the first of January 2007 achieved some favourable general funds. In 2005 Slovenia took a is the historic milestone and economic results. Purchasing significant step forward in drawing evident sign that