Slovenianewsletter 2011 JUNE Engcorr
Slovenia Newsletter
June 2011
CONTENTS
Politics -Neighbor countries' Heads of State visit Ljubljana -Meeting of Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Jankovi ć and Budapest Mayor István Tarlós for discussions of bilateral cooperation -12th Session of the Slovenian-Hungarian Mixed Commission on Minorities - Visit of Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov to
Neighbor countries’ Heads of State in Ljubljana Slovenia to join celebrations of Slovenia’s 20th Anniversary of -PM Pahor's meeting with India's PM Manmohan Independence (Photo: www.keh.hu) Singh in New Delhi -ITF-Columbian mine experts trained in Slovenia
Economy -Slovenian-Russian Business Council Meets at Bled -Slovenians reject pension reforms -JAPTI receives award at real estate fair in Milan - E. coli scare- All samples test negative in Slovenia
Bilateral relations -Slovenian Hungarian Business Council meets at the Embassy of Slovenia in Budapest -Lecture of Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret at CEU
Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Independence Culture and society (Photo: Embassy of RS) -Ljubljana Days in Budapest, June 9-19 - Leonardo da Vinci's Isonzo inventions: Slovenian Independence Anniversary language publication on the Great Master's works Celebrations -Slovenian Press Agency Celebrating 20th Anniversary -Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest celebrates independence anniversary at the Museum of Military History in Buda Castle Events of the HU EU Presidency -Former representatives of politics and diplomacy - ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting, Budapest, at the Ljubljana Embassy of the Republic of Gödöll ő, 6-7 June 2011 Hungary remember events of 1991
POLITICS Neighbor countries' Heads of 12th Session of the Slovenian State visit Ljubljana Hungarian Mixed Commission on In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Slovenia's Minorities Independence, president Türk invited the presidents On 15 June, the 12th session of the Slovenian- of Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and Italy for the Hungarian Mixed Commission on Minorities took national festivities held in Ljubljana on June 24, in place in Budapest. On the Hungarian side, the session commemoration of the events of 1991. The festive was headed by Deputy State Secretary for National events were attended by President Schmitt of Policy at the Ministry of Public Administration and Hungary, President Heinz Fischer of Austria, Justice, Zsuzsanna Répás, on the Slovenian side, the President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy and president meeting was headed by State Secretary for Slovenians Ivo Josipovic of Croatia. President Türk hosted his
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Slovenia Newsletter
June 2011 colleagues in the Castle of Ljubljana for a festive Abroad, Dr. Boris Jesih. The Commission discussed lunch, the visit of presidents continued with a short several issues. Based on earlier reports, the walk in downtown Ljubljana. In honor of the participants reviewed the situation of minorities, and anniversary, public ceremonies and fireworks were following the discussion of present day held in the citiy. developments, prepared new recommendations. The representatives of the two minorities actively Meeting of Ljubljana Mayor Zoran participated in the commission's work—by the Janković and Budapest Mayor István president of Mura region Hungarian minority, Ferenc Tarlós for discussions of bilateral Horváth, and by the president of the National cooperation Slovenian Self-Government, Martin Ropoš. The Upon the invitation of Mayor of Budapest István discussions focused on the key issues of education Tarlós, on 17 June the Mayor of Slovenia's capital, policy, transportation infrastructure development and Ljubljana, Mr. Zoran Jankovi ć visited Budapest. media. In case of specific, recurring issues that have The visit took place in the framework of the been left unresolved during the past years, the "Ljubljana Days in Budapest" cultural program Commission prepared recommendations that focus on series held between 9 and 19 of June. Mayor realistic goals which could be possible to achieve by Jankovi ć held discussions with his Hungarian both countries by next year. The Commission also collegue, Mayor Tarlós, and was received by included several new recommendations in its report, Speaker of the Parliament László Kövér. Both which aim to improve the situation of the two Mayors confirmed commitment to the support to minorities. The two sides agreed that the next meeting cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary's of the Slovenian-Hungarian Mixed Commission on capitals, primarily in the areas of culture, sports, Minorities will take place in 2012, in Slovenia. The new technologies, tourism and economy. The program and goals included in the report of the June Mayors agreed on the preparation of an agreement 15 meeting will take effect after the approval of both of cooperation between the two countries' capitals. countries' governments. Members of the delegations The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in agreed that the Mixed Commission on Minorities's Budapest organized a meeting between Mayor meeting plays a significant role in the preservation of Jankovi ć and representatives of Slovenian minorities and the improvement of their situation, as companies in Hungary. The opening speech of well as the nurturing of good neighborhood relations Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret was followed by between the two countries. the introduction of attending Slovenian companies Visit of Bulgaria's president Georgi (Slovenske železnice, Kompas, Kovintrade, Parvanov to Slovenia Mizarstvo Antolin, JUB, etc.) and a short presentation of the Association of Slovenian- Hungarian Businessmen. In the framework of the On June 16, President of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov meeting, initiatives for programs strengthening visited Slovenia for discussions of bilateral economic cooperation were also discussed. cooperation between Slovenia and Bulgaria. The discussion focused on initiatives for the strenghening of economic cooperation, the two countries' views on PM Pahor's meeting with India's PM energy security, the organization of a conference on Manmohan Singh in New Delhi South Stream gas network to be held in Slovenia, as Upon invitation of India’s PM Manmohan Singh well as future plans for Bulgaria's accession to the PM Pahor made a four-day visit to India, where he Schengen zone, and the establishment of Slovenia's participated at discussions on economic cooperation Embassy in Bulgaria. with PM Singh. At the meeting the PMs signed a (UKOM) Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and agreed to double bilateral trade of goods and bolster cooperation in car industry, science and research, tourism and renewable energy. PM Pahor continued his visit to a business forum of Indian business representatives, and participated at a reception with India's high officials.
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ITF-Columbian Mine Experts Trained in ECONOMY Slovenia Slovenian Russian Business Council At Slovenia's leading rehabilitation centre in the Meets at Bled first week of June, Columbian experts participated in a training in mine victims rehabilitation in what The Slovenian-Russian Business Council met at Bled is their second course in Slovenia organised by the for the first time since its establishment in March. Slovenian-run International Trust Fund for Business representatives and officials, who gathered Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF). The at the meeting to bolster economic cooperation, see ITF, which has financed the training from a the most opportunities in connecting small and Slovenian donation, has been cooperating with the medium-sized enterprises. Over 50 documents were So ča University Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana signed by Slovenia and Russia in the last six months since the fund's founding in 1998. The two institutes on state, government and corporate levels, while have so far helped more than 1,000 mine victims participants confirmed that the South Stream gas from SE Europe and worldwide. The ITF has been pipeline, which is to include Slovenia, would be cooperating with Columbia since 2007 and has so finished by the end of 2015. While only 4% of far allocated more than EUR 110,000 to the country, Slovenia's export presently goes to Brazil, Russia, mostly for training in assistance to mine victims. India and China, Russia is aware that Slovenia is The total value of the current training at So ča strategically important for Russia as the westernmost amounts to EUR 80,000, which has been donated to Slavic country, and political ties strengthened with the ITF by Slovenia. As part of the project, the ITF Russian PM Putin's visit last March. (UKOM) and So ča will organise an additional training course with a workshop in Columbia at the end of E. coli scare: Samples in Slovenia the year. Some 30 local experts in the rehabilitation tested negative of mine victims are expected to attend. The course In response to the E.coli scare in Europe, health and will focus on the challenges of a comprehensive inspection services in Slovenia ensured the highest rehabilitation treatment of mine victims in Columbia degree of food safety in Slovenia, Agriculture and on the raising of awareness of the danger of Minister Dejan Zidan confirmed in the first week of mines among rural population. (UKOM) June. More than 50 precautionary check-ups were made in all major retailers, wholesalers and market places in the first week of June, 26 samples of vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, pepper and zuccini from Slovenia, Macedonia, Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands tested negative.
Demining (Photo: UKOM) JAPTI Receives Award at Real Estate Fair in Milan, Italy The Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Slovenians Reject Pension Reform Investments (JAPTI) was conferred the International At a triple referendum held on June 5, over 70% of Country Award 2011 for its presentation of Slovenia participating Slovenians voted against the three at this year's EIRE real estate fair in the Italian city of government supported pieces of legislation Milan. Slovenia's showroom featured four investment regarding pension policy (72.18%), the prevention projects this year - the Hotel at the former Vrtojba of undeclared work (75.54%), and restriction of the border crossing with Italy, the Komenda Business access to the intelligence archives of the Office of Zone, the Tobacna City complex in Ljubljana and the State Security (71.01%). Assessing that the failure SiPark theme park. Slovenian Ambassador to Italy of the pension reform was a setback to economic Iztok Mirošič presented Slovenia's logistics potentials, recovery in the country, PM Pahor called on the including the railways infrastructure, the importance opponents of the pension reform to present of the Koper port and the Ljubljana airport and the alternative solutions. development of the country's business and industrial zones. Matej Škocir of JAPTI believes that Slovenia's
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BILATERAL RELATIONS new exhibition stall presented Slovenia in a more notable and recognisable way, while also promoting Lecture of Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret the InvestSlovenia trademark and enabling visual at Central European University, Budapest presentations of investment projects. The EIRE, considered the leading fair of its kind in the Mediterranean, took place for the seventh time this year with more than 500 exhibitors from 50 countries on an exhibition area of 35,000 square metres. JAPTI said it would continue presenting interesting investment projects at specialised fairs abroad, including the Expo Real fair in Munich, Germany. (UKOM) On June 1, Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret held a Slovenian Business Council met at the lecture at the Central European University in Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Budapest, on topics related to Slovenia's 20th To the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of anniversary of independence. The lecture was Slovenia, a working meeting of Hungarian members attended by nearly seventy visitors, among them, of the Slovenian-Hungarian Business Council was university professors and students from Budapest, held on June 14. Representatives of business ambassadors of the Netherlands, Moldova, Croatia, institutions including the Hungarian Chamber of and Portugal, the members of diplomatic corps, Industry and Commerce, the Hungarian Association ministerial officers, and visitors interested in of Craftsmen's Corporations, the Hungarian Slovenia. The lecture was also attended by Managers' Association, participated at the meeting, Slovenia's officer for data protection, Nataša Pirc along with the mayor of Lenti and representatives of Musar,who made visit to Budapest on the same major Hungarian corporations (Electrolux, BNP day. Former minister of foreign affairs, Péter Paribas,etc). The meeting's guest of honor was Balázs held an opening speech in which he Erzsébet Dobos, president of the National Trade commended Slovenia as a model country for the Development Office. Discussions between Council Central European region, emphasizing the role of members focused on the future goals of the Slovenia's EU preisdency in 2008 and active politics Slovenian-Hungarian Business Association. The regarding the Western Balkans. Ambassador Bavdaž Slovenian-Hungarian Business Council was founded Kuret extended congratulations on the occassion of in October 2007, during the first joint government the 20th anniversary of foundation of Central session of the governments of the Republic of European University. In her lecture Ambassador Slovenia and the Republic of Hungary.The Business Darja Bavdaž Kuret introduced the pathway leading Council is a forum for Slovenian and Hungarian to Slovenia's independence, emphasizing significant businessmen, striving to develop bilateral business historical events which had impact on the relations to facilitate information exchange in establishment of the democratic state. The different sectors of economy and business life, to Ambassador touched on the causes of break of the encourage investments and assist in the organization Yugoslav Socialist Federal Republic, spoke about of trade fairs and expos as well as to provide the development of the independent state, the recommendations for the strengthening of economic following events, including the international cooperation. By articulating shared goals the Council recognizition of the new state, and the social and also calls attention to areas of development and open economic changes. The Ambassador summarized questions. The last meeting of the Slovenian- the past 20 years' most significant achievements in Hungarian Business Council took place on July 1, foreign policy, empahisizing Slovenia's experiences 2009, on the occassion of the visit of PM Borut Pahor during its EU presidency. In her lecture, who was accompanied by a business delegation. Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret laid emphasis on Slovenia's proactive policy in the Western Balkans.
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The Ljubljana Puppet Theater group's puppet CULTURE AND SOCIETY performance addresses the question of relationship Ljubljana Days in Budapest, between man and nature and the challenges and June 9 19 rewards of cohabitation. The puppet performance was primarily addressed to children, guiding them to the wondrous world of insects and bugs, and introducing the concepts of natural balance and cohabitation, often risked by the world of humans. However, the play was equally enjoyed by the adult audience—including the members of diplomatic corps and their families, the members of the Slovenian minority community in Hungary and Budapest, their families, and several experts dedicated to the world of puppetry. The audience, which filled the seats of the Grand Hall of Merlin Theater, was greeted by Ambassador of Slovenia
Darja Bavdaž Kuret. The event was followed by a Pintér Gallery Contemporary Slovenian media tasting of Slovenian wines, interested visitors took artists’ exhibition home information brochures, catalogues and promotional materials on Slovenia. On June 9, with the opening of media artists Zvonka Simčič and France Cegnar's video installation, exhibition and performance entitled "ad utero, ab ovo", the cultural program series "Ljubljana Days in Budapest" opened at Pintér Gallery, Budapest, in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Slovenia's independence. At the exhibition opening, Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret emphasized the role of contemporary art and culture in the addressing of contemporary Reception and fullhouse at Merlin Theater En Knap social issues as well as in the articulation of Slovenian contemporary dance performance national and cultural identity of Slovenia . On June 17, the exhibition of Slovenian contemporary media artist Teo Spiller was opened in Merlin Theater in the framework of "Ljubljana Days
in Budapest" program series, organized between June 9 19 on the occassion of the celebration of Slovenia's 20th anniversary of independence. The exhibition opening was followed by the performance of contemporary dance coreographies entitled "10
MIN South" by the Slovenian contemporary dance group, EN KNAP, at the grand hall of Merlin Theater.
Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret greets the audience on stage, Merlin Theater
On June 14, in the Grand Hall of Merlin Theater, the crew of Ljubljana Puppet Theater performed "Little Critters", a children's puppet play based on the characters of Lila Prap's book of the same title. En Knap contemporary dance performance at The performance took place in the framework of Merlin Theater Grand Hall the"Ljubljana Days in Budapest" program series organized between June 9 19 on the occassion of the celebration of Slovenia's 20th anniversary of independence.
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The programs were supported by the Embassy of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions in Soča the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest and the valley New Slovenian language book on Mayors Office of Ljubljana and Budapest. the Great Master's works Teo Spiller's video installation, "Life"included The book, entitled » The Infinite Leonardo« discloses several computers set up in a dark room. The Da Vinci's visits and studies of the So ča/Isonzo river computers randomly generated a series of and Vipava, today's border region extending between characters, from time to time, featuring the word Slovenia and Italy. Among other inventions, the book "LIFE". Once the word "LIFE" appears on the introduces how Leonardo planned a then innovative monitor, the computer begins to beep; the military defense technology, including a set of dams installation alluded to the generation of life in a č scientific environment. in So a river, to prevent Turkish advance to Europe. The new, limited edition book on Leonardo da Vinci,by world-renowned connoisseur of the life and works of the great master, Alessandro Vezzosi, has been published in Slovenian language in 500 copies by publiserhouse Mladinska knjiga , at the end of May.
The contemporary dance performance, entitled 10 MIN South is a selection of diverse coregographies, based on the concept of coreographer Iztok Kovač . The production is the Slovenian Press Agency project of five dancers of En Knap Group, Celebrating 20th Anniversary Slovenia's most acknowledged contemporary The Slovenian Press Agency (STA) celebrated its dance group, who expressed the concept of the 20th anniversary on June 1, with a ceremony at the passing of time and time's elusiveness through a Ljubljana City Museum with President Danilo Türk variety ten minute coreographies. This time, they present as keynote speaker. The STA was set up on performed the coreographies of Jordi Casanovas 3 June 1991 and published its first news report only (Spain), Ivica Buljan (Croatia), David Zambrano days before Slovenia declared independence. In light (Venezuela/The Netherlands), Olga Pona (Russia) of Slovenia's independence efforts, the founders of and Dalija Aćin (Serbia). The audience, which filled the STA were aware of the importance of media every single seat of Merlin's Grand Hall—was coverage of developments on its territory already at greeted by the Ambassador of the Republic of the end of the 1980s. Accordingly, the idea to form a Slovenia in Budapest, Darja Bavdaž Kuret and national press agency came to life on 24 May 1991, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, Miklós Csomós, while as the Slovenian government and company INI the artists and their works were introduced to the public by Head of the Department of Culture of signed an agreement to set up the STA. A few days Ljubljana Mayor's Office, Uroš Grilc. later, on 3 June, the STA was registered as a company with limited liability. On 20 June 1991, five On 18 June 2011, the Slovenian group Katalena days before Slovenia declared independence, the performed a folk rock concert at the concert ship STA notified the Slovenian and foreign audiences that A38 in Budapest. The concert was met with great its intent was to "inform foreign media and other enthusiasm by the audience. A38 ship, docked on institutions abroad on the goings in Slovenia and at the Danube at the Budapest Petőfi bridge, is the same time provide information to the Slovenian considered one of the central and most media outlets". The STA has over 200 subscribers, extravagant cultural sites in Budapest and in wider which include all major Slovenian media outlets, Europe. It hosts concerts, various performances, business and financial institutions as well as state and exhibitions, and conferences. The concert of other institutions. For the first time in 20 years, the Katalena on the board of A38 ship represented a functioning of the STA is now to be regulated in a law, first class promotion of the group itself as well as which is to change the form of management to of Slovenian culture in Budapest a both extravagant and elegant ending to the program upgrade its independence, according to the series of Ljublajana Days in Budapest. government. The agency finished 2010 with EUR 3.6m in net sales revenues and some EUR 46,000 in net profit. (UKOM)
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INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest- Anniversary celebrations at the Museum of Military History, Buda Castle
On June 16, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia held a festive reception in Buda Castle's Museum of Military History on the occassion of the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's independence. The festive reception hosted by Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret and her husband, was attended by nearly 400 guests. Participating invitees included the representatives of the President's Office, Prime Minister's Office, representatives of the Hungarian Parliament, state secretaries of the Hungarian ministries, representatives of the Mayor's Office, city mayors, heads of government and cultural and business institutions, Hungarian representatives of Slovenian companies, businessmen, representatives of the press, international organizations, representatives of the Hungarian diplomatic corps members of the Slovenian minority community in Hungary, and Slovenians living in Budapest.
In her welcome address, Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret emphasized the importance of the establishment of Slovenia's independence and the formation of independent, democratic state, which, by today, has evolved into a democratic welfare state that is both self-conscious and responsible partner in the international community. Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret emphasized the importance of good neighbor relations between Slovenia and Hungary, and extended thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the festive event. Participants of the celebration of Slovenia's 20th anniversary of independence were invited to taste traditional Slovenian ham („pršut”) and Slovenian drinks. The festive atmosphere of the celebration was enhanced by the concert of Slovenia's Military Orchestra Quartet.
Ljubljana Embassy of the Republic of Hungary- Former representatives of politics and diplomacy remember events of 1991
In Ljubljana, the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, headed by Ambassador István Szentiványi, hosted a meeting at the National Museum of Contemporary History, on the occassion of Slovenia's independence anniversary. The celebration was attended by the participants of the 1991 events: then president Milan Ku čan and Slovenia's first prime minister Lojze Peterle, then minister of foreign affairs for Slovenia, Dimitrij Rupel and minister of foreign affairs for Hungary, Geza Jeszenszky, and minister for information Jelko Kacin. By recalling and presenting personal experiences of 1991,the guests participated at the reconstruction of 1991's events. In the afternoon, the Ljubljana Embassy hosted a discussion for the representatives of national minorities of Mura region and Raba region. The discussion was moderated by historian Imre Szilágyi, the main topics revolved around the events preceding the change of regimes and the first steps over the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The discussion was attended by Ferenc Hajós, first ambassador of Hungary to Slovenia, László Göncz, parliamentary representative of the Hungarian minority in Slovenia, and József Hirnök, president of the Association of Slovenians in Hungary.
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EVENTS OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU
ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting, Budapest, Gödöll ő, 6-7 June 2011
-Attended by minister of foreign affairs Samuel Žbogar his delegation.
VELEPOSLANIŠTVO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
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