Slovenia Newsletter March 2011
CONTENTS Politics PM Borut Pahor's official visit to France Russian PM Vladimir Putin’s official visit to
Slovenia
PM Borut Pahor's official visit to Turkey -Slovenia to donate Humanitarian Aid for Japan Economy - EU Energy Agency ACER launched in Ljubljana
Slovenian economic indicators for 2010 Krško nuclear plant safety Ljubljana cityscape - Slovenian Austrian discussions of EU Photo: http:// szakkollegium.vpk.bme.hu/ agricultural policy Bilateral relations Slovenian Hungarian Business Forum in
Debrecen
Ljubljana’s MINI Teater performs Ingmar Bergman play at the Budapest Spring Festival International Book Festival and First Novel Festival in Budapest Culture 20 th anniversary of Alpine Convention in Brdo pri Kranju
Tivoli Park, Ljubljana: Environmental Photo Exhibition International Women’s Day Slovenia has Highest Employment Rate for Mothers in EU
Tivoli Park, Ljubljana- Photos for Slovenian Press Photo Awards Environmental Awareness Slovenia's Petra Majdič Wins Cross Country Photo: STA Skiing World Cup Events of the Hungarian EU presidency Gymnich meeting, Budapest, Gödöllı, 11 12 March 2011 Informal Meeting of Environmental Ministers, Budapest, Gödöllı, 24 25. March 2011 Informal meeting of Ministers of Culture, Budapest, Gödöllı, 27,28 March 2011 –Informal meeting of Ministers of Education, Budapest, Gödöllı, 28, 29 March 2011 Informal meeting on Demography and Family Policy, 31 March 1 April, 2011
POLITICS PM Borut Pahor 's official visit to Russian PM Vladimir Putin's official France visit to Slovenia On 7 and 8 March PM Borut Pahor paid On 22 March PM of the Russian Federation official visit to France. On this occassion PM Vladimir Putin traveled to Slovenia for an Pahor and French President Nicolas Sarkozy official, two-day visit with PM Borut Pahor. signed a strategic partnership agreement for The PMs' meeting focused on political, 1 Slovenia Newsletter March 2011
political and economic cooperation between economic and cultural cooperation between the Slovenia and France, PM Pahor also had an two countries, the developments of the South official meeting with PM Francois Fillon. The Stream gas pipeline project, Russia and subject of the two PMs discussion included the Slovenia's cooperation in the field of energy facilitation of largescale investments in security and technology. The subject of Slovenia and France, as well as for joint discussion on economic cooperation included ventures of the two countries in third markets. the establishment of Slovenian-Russian PM Pahor emphasized that France has been Business Council to facilitate bilateral among the top four Slovenian trade partners economic relations. Trade in goods between and that Slovenia's growth intertwined in many the two countries has lately increased by 36% ways with the success of French and cooperation between Slovenian and economy. During the talks the two PMs Russian businesses still have untapped exchanged views on the European Pact for potentials, both PMs confirmed. (UKOM) Competitiveness and economic recovery in the EU. The visit continued with PM Pahor and Slovenia to donate Humanitarian aid to Minister for Economy Darja Radi č's Japan participation at a roundtable discussion on economic cooperation between France and The Government has allocated EUR 150,000 Slovenia, and consultation with French for humanitarian aid in Japan earthquake relief, Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital to be donated via the Slovenian Red Cross, in Economy Eric Besson. response to the 11 March catastrophe that has (UKOM) been registered as the most powerful earthquake to have struck Japan in the last 140 PM Borut Pahor's official visit to Turkey years, followed by a tsunami that left several cities devastated. As a consequence of the On March 3 and 4 PM Pahor paid official visit earthquake, Japan faces difficulties in resolving to Ankara, Turkey. On this occassion PM nuclear plants’ security problems. (STA) Pahor and Turkish PM Erdogan signed a strategic partnership agreement for political Slovenia welcomes UN resolution on and economic cooperation between Slovenia Lybian affairs and Turkey. During his visit PM Pahor attended the opening ceremony of the Turkey– Slovenia welcomes the adoption of the UN Slovenia Business Forum, where he invited Security Council's resolution on Libya, Turkish businessmen to present their business authorising the closing of air corridors over the initiatives and proposals of interest to the country and determining forms of action development of the two countries. Slovenia against Libyan military troops. According to supports Turkey's accession to the European the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of EU Union, which will strengthen the long-term and NATO Slovenia will actively participate in stability of the entire region and open a variety the discussion on further steps in the of business paths towards a large and fast implementation of the resolution of the crisis, growing Turkish market. During his visit PM and will cooperate with other regional Pahor met with President of Turkey Abdullah organisations. Slovenia did not intend to Gül, cooperation between the two countries is participate in a potential military intervention to be further enhanced by PM Erdogan's visit in Libya for the time being, but would be active to Slovenia planned for the coming months. in the humanitarian field. (UKOM) (UKOM)
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ECONOMY Slovenia's Economy Expanded by 1.2% in 2010 EU Energy Agency ACER launched in Ljubljana Propelled by exports, Slovenia's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.2% in The Agency for Cooperation of Energy real terms in 2010, outpacing analysts' Regulators (ACER) was launched on March 3 expectations. In the final quarter, GDP at a high profile ceremony in Ljubljana, with expanded 2.1% year on year and 0.6% over the participation of PM Borut Pahor and the previous quarter, the Statistics Office Slovenian Minister of Economy Darja Radic, said on Monday. Slovenian economy's main as an institution tasked to ensure the work driving force was exports, which rose 7.8% of national energy regulators is in line with year on year in 2010 on the back of a 10.2% EU regulations. The ceremony saw the surge in goods exports. Imports were up handover of a symbolic key at the TR3 office 6.6%, meaning that the trade balance tower in the centre of Ljubljana, the accounted for 0.8 percentage point of GDP headquarters of the first European agency growth at annual level. Gross capital seated in Slovenia. European Energy formation remained flat over the year before, Commissioner Guenther Oettinger hailed the while final consumption expenditure inched agency's launch as a historic milestone in up 0.6%. Domestic expenditure thus Europe's single energy market. The contributed 0.4 percentage points to GDP inaugural ceremony was also attended by growth. Value added rose 1.6%. At current Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators prices, GDP amounted to EUR 36.06bn or (ACER) director Alberto Pototschnig. ACER EUR 17,602 per capita. The final figures was established as part of the EU's third outpace forecasts, as the central bank had energy package adopted in 2009 which forecast 1.1% growth and the government's takes effect today to encourage cooperation Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and between national regulators and Development 0.9%. International forecasts complement the work of national regulatory ranged from 0.8% (IMF) to 1.1% (OECD and authorities at the EU level. Since the EU). The figures for the final quarter are package preserves the independence of similar to the annual figures, with exports national regulators, the agency will not be a driving growth. However, exports growth European regulator and will not have direct slowed to 6.6% from 8.3% in the third power in national affairs. It is nevertheless quarter while imports accelerated to 7%. The considered a key European agencies, having contribution of domestic expenditure was a similar role in the energy sector as the more positive, as it increased by 2.2% European Central Bank in the field of compared to a drop of 0.2% in the previous finance. quarter. Gross capital formation was 4.9% The agency will have around 30 tasks, the higher than in the fourth quarter of 2009 main one being to prepare guidelines for mainly due to higher increase in inventories, network codes or rules that would be binding but gross fixed capital formation decreased in all 27 member states. The staff, which will again, by 4.2%. Growth in final consumption eventually number over 50 employees, will expenditure remained slow, at 1.4%, but it work in three departments: electricity, gas still picked up somewhat from the previous and administrative department. ACER will quarter (1%). (UKOM) have an Administrative Board, a Regulatory Board and a Board of Appeal, which will be meeting mainly in Ljubljana. The agency is financed from the EU budget, with EUR 5m earmarked for this year. (UKOM)
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Krsko nuclear plant safety
Discussions on further investments in Slovenia's nuclear power plant and the possibility to build a second reactor at Krško took place in mid March. After a weekly government session in face of the Japanese nuclear crisis PM Pahor confirmed that the safety of people and the environment remains a priority over nuclear energy production. According to the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration, the Krško nuclear plant was constructed in accordance with safety requirements and could withstand potential earthquakes without damage. The Director of the Nuclear Safety Administration Krsko Nuclear Power Plant emphasized that Slovenia plans to improve safety Photo: UKOM at the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant by installing a backup generator for cases of extraordinary events Exchange of Technical Information and and by raising dams alongside the Sava river. Cooperation in Nuclear Safety Matters The new diesel generator is to be installed in about between Slovenia and the US a year, giving the plant an additional energy source. The plant will thus have four independent In March, the Government of the Republic of energy sources: a direct line from the nearby Slovenia accepted the initiative to conclude an Brestanica thermal power plant and three diesel arrangement between the Slovenian Nuclear Safety generators. (UKOM) Administration (SNSA) and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) for the Slovenian-Austrian discussions on EU Exchange of Technical Information and Agricultural Policy Cooperation in Nuclear Safety Matters. The conclusion of this arrangement is crucial for the In March, Slovenian Agriculture, Forestry and Food SNSA, since the reactor and equipment supplier for Minister Dejan Židan held discussions with his the Krško nuclear plant of Slovenia comes from the Austrian counterpart Nikolaus Berlakovich on the USA. The arrangement thus provides the SNSA planned changes to the EU's Common Agricultural with direct contact with the regulatory body of the Policy. Austria and Slovenia agreed that the EU country in which the system was manufactured. should not introduce uniform direct payments due The essential elements of the Arrangement concern to differences among regions. Both countries the exchange of technical information on nuclear welcome the Commission's wish to make Common safety matters, the protection of nuclear material, Agricultural Policy more environmentally-friendly, and the changes to be introduced gradually. The physical security, waste management, radiological ministers talked about the funding for agriculture safety and preparedness for exceptional and food production and EU states' right to reject occurrences. The Arrangement also provides for the genetically modified organisms (GMOs), about possibility of research on nuclear safety in the green energy in agriculture, forestry and food. The facilities run by both parties and sets up a ministers agreed that Slovenia would seek the framework for exchanging experts and additional advice of Austrian experts on a draft version of its technical advice, if the exchange of the mentioned agricultural strategy. The meeting also concluded technical information would prove insufficient. the necessity of support to European systems in (UKOM) the field of bioenergy, instead of exploiting rainforests in Brazil and importing biomass fuels. (UKOM)
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BILATERAL RELATIONS Lubljana’s MINI Teater performs Ingmar Bergman play at the Budapest Spring Festival Slovenian-Hungarian Businessmen Forum in Debrecen Among the international highlights of this With the participation of nearly forty year’s Budapest Spring Festival, the 11 Slovenian and Hungarian companies, the member crew of MINI Teater of Ljubljana, Slovenian Hungarian Businessmen's Forum, known for its internationally renowned organized in the collaboration of the avant garde shows will perform Ingmar Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Bergman’s theater piece, „Persona”. The Hajdú Bihar County and the Embassy of the theater performance will take place in the Republic of Slovenia on March 9, in framework of the Festival on April 1 2 at the Debrecen, resumed its meeting with National Theater in Budapest. success. Following last year's successful business meetings in Pécs, Szolnok and Nagykanizsa, the Association of Slovenian Drago Jan čar and Dušan Šarotar at the Hungarian Businessmen launched business International Book Festival and First discussions in Debrecen. The goal of the Novelists Festival in Budapest Forum is to establish new business contacts This year's International Book Festival and and strengthen already functioning business First Novelists Festival in Budapest will relations between Slovenian and Hungarian introduce works of Slovenian writers Drago companies, enterprises, and businessmen. Jančar and Dušan Šarotar to the Hungarian public. On April 17, book reviews will be held by the publishing house Lettre L'Harmattan,
where Jančar's book »The Nameless Tree« will be introduced, among other authors' works. The book reviews will be followed by roundtable discussions, poetry readings, and the signing of the participating authors' books. Drago Jančar (1948 ) is one of the most
prolific and famous contemporary Slovene Slovenian-Hungarian Business Forum, Debrecen writers. As a writer, playwright, essayist and public intellectual in Slovenia, Jančar is also In the framework of the event, participating companies got acquainted with structure of known for his political commentaries and Slovenian and Hungarian economy, the civic engagement. Jančar has received a developments in foreign trade and investments in number of literary awards, including the the two countries, information on Slovenian Prešeren Award, Slovenia's most prestigious business law and tax system, and the operation literary award; the European Short Story and goals of the Businessmen's Association. After Award (Augsburg, 1994); and the Herder the brief background presentations, several Prize for literature in 2003. Since 1995, he Slovenian and Hungarian companies held has been a member of the Slovenian company demos that were followed by a short Academy of Sciences and Arts. Dušan reception and roundtable discussions, where Šarotar (1968 ) is a renowned Slovenian Slovenian and Hungarian parters laid grounds for writer, essayist and literary critic, born in business collaboration and discussed potential Murska Sobota, Slovenia. His most known projects. Slovenian participants included the novel is "Billiard in the Dobray Hotel" companies Hermi, Dynacast Lož, Slovenske (Bilijard v Dobrayu ), an account of one night železnice, Kovintrade, Medis, Aplos, Mesarstvo of a Holocaust survivor, following the end of Oblak, Etol in Color Service. World War II in the town of Murska Sobota.
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CULTURE Twenty Years of Alpine Convention Photo Exhibition Raising Awareness Celebrated in Slovenia about Preservation of Land The Alpine Convention is an international A series of 120 photographs and treaty signed in 1991 by Austria, Germany, montages dubbed "Written on the Skin France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, of the Earth" are on display in the main Slovenia, Switzerland and the EU. The 20th promenade of Ljubjana's Tivoli park anniversary of the Alpine Convention was celebrated as representatives of the through the months of March and April. signatories gathered at Brdo pri Kranju for Largescale prints of animals, plants and the annual conference and Slovenia humans aim at raising awareness about wrapped up its two year presidency. The the preservation of agricultural land. group is to be presided next by Switzerland. The motifs force the viewer to think During Slovenia's stint as president, the about produce, soil, textures of food goal was to enhance the development and landscape. The montages combine potentials of the Alps and strengthen animals, plants and the human body cooperation between the people living and with landscape textures, of elements visiting the Alpine region. like the soil and grass. All prints, the According to the evaluation of Secretary General of the Alpine Convention Marco works of photographer Marko Modic, Onida, Slovenia successfully steered the are accompanied by Slovenian and organisation through the difficult period of English texts, the Ljubljana Biotechnical economic turmoil and climate change. The Faculty, which is organising the display, three days conference, held in March, said in a press release. focused on guidelines and future priorities With the exhibition, the faculty wished of the group, including a commitment to to present the issues that are usually sustainable development guidelines. confined to professional circles to a The Secretary General of the Convention broader public. Slovenia is one before highlighted two key topics of discussion: last in Europe when it comes to the future of the Alpine Convention against the backdrop of the creation of new agricultural land per capita with only European macroregions, and the plan of 866 square metres of agricultural land work for the next six years. per citizen, Marija Pintar, of the Modeled after the operation of the Alpine Biotechnical Faculty, said in a press Convention, the first meeting of release. She stressed that people environment ministers from the Dinaric should become more aware of the region is designed to foster cooperation significance of soil, agricultural land and between partner countries. The meeting is of the landscape. The exhibition is also expected to conclude with a resolution on being organised with the help of the the sustainable development of the Dinaric Agriculture, Forestry and Food Ministry, Alps, which extends through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Ljubljana Turizem organisation, the Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro. Slovenia Agriculture and Forestry Chamber and is part of the Alps and the Dinaric region, the Slovenian Cooperatives Association. Minister Zarnic emphasized at the evening The exhibition will run until 30 April. ceremony marking the 20th anniversary. (STA) (UKOM)
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Slovenia's Petra Majdi č Wins Cross- International Women’s Day-March 8 Country Skiing World Cup As celebrations of the 100th International Women's Day get under way on 8 March, women everywhere may take pride in what Slovenia's no.1 woman cross-country skier they have achieved. According to Mirjana Petra Majdic won the classic cross country Ule of the Ljubljana Social Sciences Faculty sprint event in Stockholm on 6 March, this year's International Women's Day was securing her overall victory in the sprint an opportunity to reasses the position of competition in the World Cup. Coming in women in society—emphasis should be second in the race was Marit Bjoergen of refocused on the improvement of employment options and secure forms of Norway, while third place went to her employment. Slovenian Statistics Office compatriot Maiken Caspersen Falla. reports, the difference in unemployment This is the third overall victory in the World rate for men and women has decreased in Cup sprint for Petra Majdic, coming after two the past years from 12.2% for women consecutive wins in 2008 and 2009. Today's and 8.6% for men in 2005 to 12.4% for victory in Sweden was also her 24th victory in women and 11.4% for men in 2010. the cross-country World Cup. Achievements include the establishment of the public childcare system, the breaking of taboos of domestic and workplace violence, Slovenia Press Photo Award and increased participation of men in announced housework and childcare. However, the In Ljubljana, a total of 233 photographers progress is too slow in political participated in this year's Slovenia Press representation. Slovenia is below both Photo contest, entering a record number of world and European averages, with only 3898 photos. As many as three members of 13% of women in the National Assembly. the jury had to be replaced at the last (STA) minute, as they had to travel to Libya to Slovenia with Highest Employment Rate report on the strife there for their agencies. for Mothers in EU A picture portraying workers, taken by Slovenia had the highest employment rate Matej Druznik of the daily Delo, was for mothers in the EU in 2009, Eurostat selected for the Photo of the Year award at revealed in a statistics release ahead of this the conclusion of the Slovenia Press Photo year's International Women's Day, 8 March. 2011 (SPP) festival. "Delavci Vegrada" The employment rate for women aged 25 to (Vegrad Workers), which portrays several 54 with one child in Slovenia was 84.8% workers of the now defunct company, was and 89.1% for women with two children, chosen by an international jury. This was but on the EU level, the rates stood at only the main award handed out at the award 71.3% and 69.2% respectively. While the ceremony held at the Ljubljana City Hall average rate for women with three children that drew the curtain on the month long or more in the EU was only 54.7%, the rate press photography festival. In the best in Slovenia was as much as 79.3%. The EU photo story section, the winner was Luka wide employment rate for women without Daksobler for a story on fishing in Istanbul, children was meanwhile 75.8% and it stood Turkey. Prizes were given out also in at 78.5% in Slovenia. categories of people, news, sport, nature Men's employment rates by the number of and the environment and entertainment children for Slovenia were comparable with and culture. All exhibitions will be on EU trends, with the lowest rate for men display along with the winners of the SPP without children (80.5% in Slovenia and contest until the end of March. (STA) 80.3% in the EU) and the highest for men with two children (93.7% in Slovenia and 90.6% in the EU). (STA)
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EVENTS OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU
Gymnich meeting, Budapest, Gödöll ı, 11-12 March 2011 Attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Žbogar and his delegation.
Informal meeting of Environmental Ministers, Budapest, Gödöll ı, 24-25 March 2011 Attended by Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Dr. Roko Žarni ć and his delegation.
Informal meeting of Ministers of Culture, Budapest, Gödöll ı, 27-28 March 2011 Attended by Minister of Culture Majda Širca and her delegation.
Informal meeting of Minister of Education, Budapest, Gödöll ı, 28-29 March 2011 Attended by Minister of Education Dr.Igor Luksi č and his delegation.
Informal meeting on Demography and Family Policy, 31 March 2011 Attended by State Secretary Anja Kopa č-Mrak and her delegation.
VELEPOSLANIŠTVO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
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