eNEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IN TEL AVIV November – December 2017

HAPPENING NOW

Slovenia's President Pahor wins second term

On November 12, 2017 Slovenian President Borut Pahor was re-elected for a second term in a runoff vote, beating his challenger in a tight race.

In the first round three weeks before, Mr. Pahor received about 47 percent of the vote among nine candidates.

In the second round, Mr. Pahor had won 53 percent of the vote, according to the Election Commission, while his opponent, ex-comedian, Mayor of Kamnik, Marjan Šarec, had 47 percent. "I will be the President of all (Slovenians), I will connect people, build upon the things we have in common," Pahor told reporters after securing another five- year mandate. He had said that he would focus on cooperation, political stability and security.

On July 5, 2017, President Borut Pahor conferred on Mrs. Steiner Aviezer the Medal of Merits for her work related to the remembrance of the Slovenian righteous and their brave humanitarian acts to save Jews during the Holocaust.

1 SLOVENIA IN ISRAEL

Slovenian Presence in Israel - Slovenian Memorial Plaque in Ein Kerem

At the courtyard of the Church of St. in Ein Kerem there is a plque with religious text in Slovenian languagedonated by Slovenian pilgrims and Franciscans in 1991.

Christians from all over the world are drawn to the exquisitely peaceful village of Ein Kerem, the place where it is believed Saint John the Baptist was born. Sheltered behind iron gates, the Church of Saint John the Baptist contains the grotto in which the birth is believed to have taken place. Encompassed with trees and breathtaking view of the Judean Hills beyond, the church stands as a monument to an ancient and enduring faith.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik visited the site on 29 December.

Photos: VTA

2 Protection of Children against Sexual Abuse

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik hosted at her residence a working meeting on the issue of fight against violence against women and sexual abuse of children, and discussed, together with Ambassadors of Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia and Croatia the possible cooperation with and support to Israeli civil and business society in addressing these issues, ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Abuse, established by the Council of Europe and marked every year on 18 November.

Representatives of L.Raphael (who published the awareness-raising video Tom's Secret) and representatives of Israeli Rape Victims Centers participated, as well as several gender consultants, activists and publishers, who are dealing with these issues.

Discussion at the residence, Photo: VTA

Gimnazija Maribor student delegation visits Haifa HaReali High school for the 5th year

On December 5, 2017 students from the II. Gimnazija Maribor and the Hebrew Reali School Haifa, who participated in an exchange program taking place in Israel, visited the Slovenian Embassy in Tel Aviv. The delegation of 22 students and 3 professors was received by Mr. Blaž Masle, who presented the role and work of the Embassy and the cooperation between Slovenia and Israel. They also discussed with great interest the similarities and diversities between Slovenia and Israel. The students of the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa are expected to visit Maribor next year. The cooperation between the high-schools of Maribor and Haifa started already 5 years ago.

3 Student delegation at the Embassy. Photo: VTA

ENVIRONMENT

The resolution declaring 20 May as World Bee Day is expected to be adopted at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly on 20 December

The initiative to designate 20 May as World Bee Day was supported by all of the nations of the world. Source: MKGP

17 November, Slovenian Food Day, was an even more special day for Slovenia. The Second Committee of the UN General Assembly approved the draft resolution on the designation of 20 May as World Bee Day. The resolution was then sent to the UN General Assembly for formal adoption, which is expected in mid-December.

“I take it that the Committee wishes to adopt this Draft Resolution? / I hear no objection, the Draft Resolution is adopted.” With these words, the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly concluded Slovenia’s motion to adopt the draft resolution on the designation of 20 May as World Bee Day. The resolution was thus approved and sent to the UN General Assembly for formal adoption in mid-December.

4 The initiative to designate 20 May as World Bee Day was supported by all of the nations of the world, and 115 countries (including all of the EU Member States, as well as other large countries such as the USA, China, Russia, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia and Israel) signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution.

On the occasion, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Dejan Židan said: “After three years of hard work, we are nearing our goal. The unanimous support of the Second Committee strengthened our expectations that the United Nations will proclaim World Bee Day at the plenary session of the General Assembly in December. Why are Slovenia’s efforts towards the designation of World Bee Day important? The world sees our country’s efforts and activities as an important contribution to the fight against world hunger. Every third mouthful of food depends on bees and other pollinators, which are threatened by climate change, chemicals and environmental stress. The future growth of agricultural production will depend on our awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators, and our willingness to help them and protect them.”

The initiative for the designation of 20 May as World Bee Day has come a long way from the original initiative conceived by the President of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association in 2014, when many people were unconvinced of the idea’s potential and viewed it as unrealistic. After receiving support from the President of Slovenia in 2014, an awareness-raising campaign was conducted in 2015 focusing on countries, organisations and the general public. This was followed by activities at the UN level. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in , played a crucial role in the official procedure for adoption, which was then taken up by the UN in New York.

Even before its official deliberation, the World Bee Day initiative enjoyed broad support, confirming that concern for bees is shared among many countries. Slovenia was known for its concern for bees, and began to gain a reputation as a beekeeping country in which every 200th person keeps bees, a country which is proud of its excellent beekeepers and its well-developed beekeeping industry. Furthermore, many of Slovenia’s activities and measures were recognised as examples of good practice, and several countries began expressing interest in strengthening cooperation in this area. This type of cooperation was also the starting point for the initiating or strengthening of cooperation in other areas and on specific projects. This was followed by the firm and steady support of the FAO. The initiative received unanimous support from the member states of the FAO’s Committee on Agriculture and the FAO Council, and at the 2017 FAO Conference. The FAO Conference in July 2017 gave its final approval of a resolution to designate 20 May as World Bee Day, and adopted the decision to submit a resolution for deliberation and adoption by the UN General Assembly in New York.

This was followed from July to September of this year by the drafting of a new resolution, which was sent to all UN member states, with a request for continued support. Informal consultations on the draft resolution were begun at the beginning of October. The negotiations on the draft resolution were concluded before the submission of the draft resolution to the Second Committee for official deliberation on 18 October. The resolution was officially presented at the plenary session of the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly on 1 November. Source: http://www.vlada.si

5 TOURISM

Koper - European Destination of Excellence 2017

European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) is the biggest European platform for promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. The Slovenian Tourist Board collaborates in this project in line with its goal to support destinations and products with an emphasis on sustainable development.

EDEN is a European Commission project which since 2007 has brought together locations and areas that are developing environmentally, culturally and socially responsible tourism. Slovenia has been involved in the project since 2008, and today boasts seven winning destinations and 14 finalists. The EDEN project facilitates international promotion, recognition, education, linking and exchange of best practices, and is based on national selections that take place every other year; these result in the selection of the winning destination of excellence, as well as the finalist destinations.

The European Commission chose cultural tourism as this year’s overarching selection theme. A total of 14 applications were received in the public call, covering the territory of 35 Slovenian municipalities.

The expert committee for EDEN in Slovenia, headed by Janez Bogataj, ethnologist and EDEN ambassador, selected four finalists: Radol’ca, Ptuj, the Karst (Kras), Slovenske Konjice and the winning destination, which was selected through evaluations in the field.

The title of European Destination of Excellence 2017 was awarded to – a unique example of the coexistence of history, culture, nature, tourism and modernity.

The European Commission and Slovenian Tourist Board include the destinations holding this prestigious title in their promotional activities. Destinations of excellence also become members of the Slovenian EDEN network, and gain the chance to join the European EDEN association, which fosters the promotion and exchange of best practices associated with the sustainable development of tourism. The official award ceremony for the winner and finalists will take place in Slovenia on 15 November, and Koper will receive the European Commission prize in Brussels in March 2018.

6 Old town – Čevljarska street, Koper

Photo:mapio.net

On the announcement of the winning destination for cultural tourism, Boris Popovič, Mayor of the City of Koper, said: “We are honoured that Koper has won the title of European Destination of Excellence. This provides us with new impetus, and at the same time stands as confirmation that we are developing Koper in the right direction. It is no secret that just over a decade ago this was regarded as a mainly industrial town, while today it ranks at the very peak of Slovenian tourism. A range of investments, enhanced features for tourists, new tourism products and the increasingly frequent arrivals of passenger vessels have enabled the development of tourism in our destination, where cultural tourism plays a very important part. We are proud to be developing this in partnership with numerous players.”

City of sunshine, culture and green countryside

When you arrive in Koper, the sun accompanies you at every step. An ancient symbol greets you right at the city gates, which invite you in to streets and squares stamped by the culture of the Venetian Republic. This European Destination of Excellence is a city of tourism committed to cultural and environmental sustainability. This city, which is inextricably tied to , the lush hinterland of Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, is also one of the green destinations of Slovenia (part of the Slovenia Green project).

7 Discovering Koper of the Serenissima

In a place where in the Bronze Age there was a rocky inhabited island surrounded by the sea, there is now a city of historical treasures from various periods. The medieval core of the city is stamped in particular with features from the Serenissima period, the 500-year rule of the Most Serene Venetian Republic. The outstanding , the Loggia, the city tower and cathedral with the altar piece by draw visitors to the central square, from which spread streets with Venetian houses. These include the Carpaccio House with its special collection of objects showing Koper’s cultural heritage.

While the term Serenissima (most serene) refers to the period of the Venetian Republic, today the word also evokes the greater connection with oneself and with nature offered by rambles through the Koper countryside. The Mediterranean environment and climate, the special features of the Karst margins, settlements with Istrian houses and wells, and the unique Istrian culture, are good reasons in any season to visit locations such as Krkavče with its mysterious stone, Lopar and its Bardinc House, with its Karst margin climbing cliffs, and in particular, with its Church of the Holy Trinity housing a unique fresco of the danse macabre. In addition to guided tours, excursions and thematic trails, Koper and Istria offer outstanding year-round opportunities for sports in a natural environment.

The Koper heartbeat at events

A string of cultural, sports, entertainment and especially gastronomic events are presented right through the year in Koper. The Istrian version of the Carnival, with Shrovetide processions, partying and dances, drives away the winter.

In December, Koper sees in the New Year in its own special way. In between, there are festivals of Istrian specialities and wine.

Check out the Refošk Wine Festival, the event From Vineyards to Olive Groves and of course Sweet Istria, the September event that tempts visitors to take the sweet-toothed route through town, with tastings and sales of Istrian and other confectionery.

Istrian cuisine

You can really get to know the cultural heritage and sunshine of Koper by tasting it. This area, with world-famous producers of olive oil and wine, will spoil food-lovers with both Mediterranean and authentic Istrian cuisine. You can find local specialities everywhere – in restaurants and tourist farms, in cellars and osmica feasts. Istrian cuisine wins people over with its natural ingredients. They are filled with a flavour that comes from the power of the sunshine in Slovenia’s brightest city. Source: Sinfo November-December Magazine.

8 ECONOMY

Interview with Dragomir Matić, President of the Management Board of Luka Koper, d.d.

On October 25, 2017 the port of Koper organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Slovenia a business event for the third consecutive year with participation of many Israeli partners.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Mr. Blaž Masle at Port of Koper day, Photos: VTA

The Port of Koper has become one of the major logistic hubs in the North Adriatic region, partly due to intensive investments. What were the most notable investments during the last years?

We continue to implement our development plan with the construction of new port infrastructure and purchasing various equipment. During the 2016, at the container terminal, we constructed two new terminal railway tracks and extended three already 9 existing tracks while increasing stacking areas for full and empty containers. Seven new electric cranes for yard operations became operational in late 2016 and shall contribute to more efficient yard handling and reducing gas and noise emissions. The first part of investment in container facilities was completed in February 2017 with the accomplishment of crane rails for three RMG (Rail Mounted Gantry) cranes, which will significantly contribute to increase the productivity. In addition, the new cranes will enable the loading/unloading of containers on five train sets simultaneously. All these investments, performed over the last two years, are aimed at increasing the annual capacity of the container terminal to 1.3 million TEU by 2020 (in 2016 we handled 844.759 TEU) .

In mid of April 2017, two super post-panamax container cranes were delivered to operate on the largest vessels currently on the market, enabling cargo handling on ships 24 containers wide. The advantages of the new cranes will become even more apparent as soon as the quayside of the first pier is extended by an additional 100 meters, for which the construction works are expected to start within 2018. In December 2016 we opened three new shore tanks for fuels, and in September 2017 new multipurpose warehouse for handling and storing of general cargoes and various dry bulks.

The port has recently seen a strong trend of growth in the container market; what are the reasons for this increase?

The transport route via North Adriatic is gaining on importance, as all ports in the area are registering growing figures in recent years. More and more cargo is being shifted from North European ports towards Southern ports, where the Adriatic is an excellent alternative for Central and Eastern European markets. The benefits of shorter transit time to final destination and consequential lower transport and cargo inventory stock costs are becoming more and more evident. Our intention is to remain the container leader in the Adriatic, as we are already since 2010 onwards.

Your strategic cargo segment are also cars. What is the situation on this specific business? As the car volumes grow, we continue to arrange new parking areas on various locations around the port. In addition, in March we approved the construction of a garage for 6.000 cars, which will be located just near the existing one with 8.000 parking lots. The garage is expected to be completed within 2018. The total throughput of cars in 2016 was 749.384 units, making Koper the second largest port for cars in the Mediterranean.

How have all these investments enhanced operations? Everything is about increasing productivity, lowering internal transport costs and optimizing resources in order to provide a better and high quality service for the customer on a 24/7 basis together with the port community members (including inspections and customs authorities).

The Port of Koper benefits from a diverse range of operations; out of the services offered where else has Luka Koper seen an increase in demand? Our core services are carried out on 12 specialized terminals and each terminal offers various additional services. The most important segment is currently stuffing/stripping 10 of containers, as many customers decide to do this in the port rather than elsewhere, mostly due to cost and time effectiveness.

What challenges has the port faced over the last year and how has the port overcome these challenges? Due to intensive investments – around 60 million EUR were allocated for investments in 2016 and another 70 million are expected to be invested in 2017 – the many constructions sites around the port are sometimes creating operational challenges, but with more efforts we manage to balance all necessities.

In terms of hinterland markets, do you see opportunities or challenges ahead? We want to preserve our position on our traditional markets, such as Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. At the same time, we are intensively working on the markets of south Germany, especially Bavaria, Czech and southern Poland. Of crucial importance is on more railway connections to these markets and we work closely with all players in the logistic chain.

Israel is already a traditional oversea market for Luka Koper and the cooperation with the Israeli companies had started soon after the Port of Koper was established, almost 60 years ago. How do you see the Israeli market today, what are the challenges? Indeed, Koper port started to handle goods, bound for Israeli market already in 1959, and through decades we experienced to handle various Israeli bound cargo in import and export – in 2016 nearly 600.000 tons. Due to the demands of highly perishable goods more than a decade ago, direct container connections were developed to Koper port with short transit time from Haifa and Ashdod port in both directions; soon after arrival of the vessel we are performing the same high quality service of immediate delivery to the final client on a 24/7 basis, including the inspection and customs clearance (for eg.Israeli flowers to Dutch auction). We aim to even further enlarge the obtained market reputation for the high quality service on highly perishable goods to any kind of cargo, and, hearing from our clients that they are within recent years noticing our improved service flexibility, approves our orientation with recent investments, and encourages us on our way.

What is your strategic vision for Luka Koper over the next 3-5 years? Our long term vision is to become the leading port operator for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. We have achieved many important results in recent years (the top container terminal in the Adriatic and among the top car terminals in Europe) and we are determinate to preserve this position.

11 Koper Port. Photo: Luka Koper, d.d.

Significantly upgraded economic growth forecast for Slovenia

Solid growth is also expected in the second half. Photo: Mostphotos

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has upgraded its economic growth forecast for Slovenia by 1.5 percentage points to 4%. It also upgraded the forecast for next year by 0.7 points to 2.9%.

"Slovenia's growth has surprised on the upside in 2017, and is projected to reach 4%, which is 0.9 percentage points higher than a year before and 1.5 percentage points above the projection published in May," the EBRD says in its latest report.

12 According to the bank, the growth is being led by domestic demand, which benefits from "strong consumption momentum and strong recovery in investments with the start of the new EU funding cycle".

On Thursday the European Commission has upgraded Slovenia's GDP growth forecast for this year by 1.4 percentage points to 4.7%. In 2018 Slovenia's economy is expected to expand by 4%, which is 0.9 percentage points more than in the Commission's spring forecast.

The Commission wrote Slovenia's real GDP increased by 4.8% in the first half of the year, thereby surpassing the pre-crisis level.

Domestic demand increased by another 3.4%, while investment also got stronger, by 10%. Export growth remained strong as well, exceeding import growth, which contributed additionally to the current account surplus. Solid growth is also expected in the second half. Source: http://www.vlada.si

European Week for Waste Reduction 2017

A tenth of all waste in Slovenia is generated by households. Photo: Mostphotos

According to Eurostat data, more than 2.5 billion tons of waste is generated in the EU every year. In Slovenia almost 5.5 million tons of waste was generated in 2016 ; among these, many things were discarded that could still be useful.

For several years the European Union has been encouraging us to implement various actions with which we can help to reduce the amount of waste to the greatest extent possible. One of such campaigns is the European Week for Waste Reduction. This year it will be held from 18 to 26 November under the slogan "Reuse and Repair: Enable New Life!"

Of waste generated in Slovenia in 2016, 46% came from production activities, 44% from service activities and 10% from households. Source: http://www.vlada.si

13 CULTURE

"The National People's Democratic Circus of Sakeshvili" was staged in Jerusalem on November 2-8, 2017 at Nissan Nativ acting Studio and performed in Tel Aviv on November 16 2017 at Nissan Nativ Studio, 5 Noam Street, Jaffa.

The National People's Democratic Circus of Sakeshvili is a contemporary play by Slovenian playwright Rok Vilčnik and directed by Yonatan Esterkin. It won the 2016 Best Slovenian Play of the Year award.

14 SLOVENIA

Forbes list: Slovenia fourth best country for women

The index takes into account several factors such as inclusion of women in the society, judiciary and security. Photo: Mostphotos

The best country for women is Iceland, while Slovenia ranks fourth among the 152 surveyed countries on a list published this month by the US business magazine Forbes . Meanwhile, Syria is the worst place for women.

The list is based on a global women, peace and security index compiled by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute Oslo.

The index takes into account several factors such as inclusion of women in the society, judiciary and security. The top three countries in this respect are Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, which are immediately followed by Slovenia.

The US is in the 22nd place, mostly because it is the only country besides Papua New Guinea not to have a paid maternity leave, according to Forbes.

It is no surprise that war-torn countries are at the bottom of the list, which features Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen. Source: www.vlada.si

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ice Fantasy – Ice Park 25.11.2017 - 7.01.2018

Ice fantasy in Magical Ljubljana will add to the festive Christmas and New Years’ time, where visitors will be able to enjoy on more than 2000 square meters of ice skating surfaces in the Zvezda Park.

More than 2000 square meters of ice skating surfaces, this sports-recreational- entertainment facility is intended for all generations, families, schools, those who can

15 skate and those who will just get to know this interesting sport. Rental of skates, other equipment and professional help will also be available at the location. Visitors will enjoy the entertainment program that will take place on and near the ice rink as well as a culinary offer next to the facility. Source: https://www.visitljubljana.com

1.12.2017 - 2.01.2018

During the festive season, Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana always has a vibrant atmosphere, with a Christmas market and countless free events held in the festively decorated historical city Centre.

Ljubljana's Festive Fair, accompanied by food and drink stalls, becomes the Centre of the city's social life in December, while its nearby squares host a vast program of free music concerts and other events for adults and children. The festivities culminate on the New Year's Eve, with celebrations in Ljubljana's main squares.

The Embassy of Slovenia would like to wish you Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year 2018!

Source: https://www.visitljubljana.com/ Photo: D.Wedam

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