I S S U E SLOVENIAN EMBASSY 04 SKOPJE MAY MONTHLY e-NEWSLETTER 2 0 1 1 In this issue Memorandum on International Development Cooperation P.1 Working visit by State Secretary Dr. Anja K. Mrak in Skopje P.2 9 May – Europe Day – Europe in Skopje P.2 Richard Howitt – New EP Rapporteur for Macedonia P.3 Ambassador Bergant visited Centre for Integration Ambrela P.3 Go PINK! – Raising the awareness against breast cancer P.4 Let’s clean the Skopje City Park Together P.4 ONE - Telekom Slovenia Group P.5 SMBC Annual Assembly and presentation of P.6 Faculty of Economics Ljubljana and Triglav Insurance Co. Slovenian Potica (Slovenian Nut Roll) P.7 Places in Slovenia: Piran P.7 Tourist Destinations: “Terme Olimija” P.8 Memorandum on International Development Cooperation between Slovenia and Macedonia for 2011 signed Skopje, 13 May 2011 The Slovenian Ambassador to Macedonia Brian Bergant and the Macedonian State Secretary at the Secretariat for European Affairs Jovan Andonovski signed a Memorandum on International Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for 2011. In the memorandum, the two countries agreed on a number of concrete projects for development cooperation for 2011. This document is the first to be agreed between the two countries on the basis of the Agreement between Slovenia and Macedonia on Development Cooperation that took effect on 10 July 2006. Macedonia is one of Slovenia's priority countries and bilateral development cooperation is being developed through programmes. The memorandum envisages implementation of activities on development projects aimed at promoting economic and social development, encouraging balanced regional development and environmental protection, technical-assistance projects focusing on strengthening administrative capacities and modernisation of public administration, development activities of implementing institutions of Slovenia and cooperation among non-governmental organisations, and other areas and forms of bilateral cooperation. Along with the projects agreed in the memorandum, Slovenia will also continue or finish implementing some of the projects in Macedonia that were launched in previous years. One such project, which began in 2008, is construction of a waste-water treatment plant in Skopje (Municipality of Gjorče Petrov). Slovenia actively supports Macedonia's future in the EU, and provides expert assistance in harmonising national legislation with the EU acquis and its implementation. The two countries and their institutions have developed close cooperation on projects of rural and regional development, cohesion policy and structural instruments, financial and budget issues, statistics, taxes, entrepreneurial and industrial policies, customs, prevention of money laundering, the judiciary, internal and consular affairs, elections, transport, the environment, health, food, veterinary medicine and plant protection, foreign affairs and the fight against drugs. P . 1 Foreign Affairs Working visit by the State Secretary at MLFSA Dr Anja Kopač Mrak in Skopje Skopje, 10 May 2011 State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia dr Anja č Kopa Mrak paid a working visit to Skopje where she met Minister of Labour and Social Policy Xhelal Bajrami. The purpose of the visit was to further enhance the cooperation between the two ministries with special attention to the process of full implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and Government with Macedonia regulating the international adoption of children. On this occasion State Secretary exposed difficulties and problems that Slovenian side perceives by the implementation of the agreement. In addition she presented the initiative of the Slovenian government and further steps of amending the Social Security Agreement and Administrative Agreement on implementation of the Social Security Agreement between Slovenia and Macedonia. Minister Bajrami informed about the adopted reforms and harmonisation of national legislation with the acquis communitaire. State secretary dr Kopač Mrak reiterated Slovenia’s support for Macedonia’s accession to the EU and NATO and more frequent meetings and closer cooperation between the respected Ministries were agreed. European Celebration of the Europe Day in Skopje Affairs Skopje, 9 – 14 May 2011 The Europe Day celebration 9 May, was marked with number of activities, with a main event held at Skopje City Park. During this celebration an annual charity marathon was organized and attended by hundreds of participants, including representatives of the Diplomatic Core and many others. As part of the Europe Day celebration, the activities continued also on the 13 May when, as part of the activities of the Secretariat of European Affairs, the Slovenian Embassy promoted cultural and tourist attractions in Slovenia at the EU Info Centre in Skopje. Passers-by could try freshly baked Slovenian Potica and refresh with Fructal juices, learn something new about Slovenia, listen to traditional Slovenian music and watch the promotional film about Slovenia. On 14 May, Skopje City Park hosted a big Europe Day happening as a closure of this years celebration. Students from primary schools presented the cultures of the 27 EU Member states. Students from Primary School “Kuzman Josifovski Pitu” dressed in traditional Slovenian folk costumes presented Slovenia with promotional materials in the spirit of “I feel sLOVEnia”. Ambassador Brian Bergant and other employees of the Embassy attended this event. The cultural programme also included performances by the renowned guitarist and his band Vlatko Stefanovski Trio, Adrian Gaxha, Superhiks, Toni Kitanovski Trio, students from the Skopje Music and Ballet School Centre, Flag Dance 27 – Contemporary dance performance and closed with a screening of the film »Visions of Europe«. The Europe Day happening is traditionally organized by the EU Delegation in cooperation with the Secretariat for European Affairs, local authorities, Embassies of the EU member states and other partners. P . 2 European Affairs Richard Howitt appointed new EP Rapporteur for Macedonia British MEP Richard Howitt has been appointed EP Rapporteur on Macedonia, replacing Zoran Thaler. Howitt is a member of the EP Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and represents the Labour Party. Richard Howitt and Slovenian MEP Tanja Fajon were the most serious candidates for the post. Howitt aspires for quick membership of the Balkans and Turkey in the Union, based on the implemented reforms and the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria. Humanitarian Ambassador Bergant visited Centre for Action Integration Ambrela Skopje, 6 May 2011 On the occasion of the Roma The Foundation Together On the day of the feast it is festival Ederlezi – Djurdjevdan, realizes its mission, which most common to grill a lamb Ambassador Brian Bergant includes ensuring a better for the feast dinner and the visited Centre for Integration future for children and appearance of music is also Ambrela where he handed contributes to peace and very important during this over the sports equipment – stability, by activating Slovene holiday. Aside from dancing volleyball and football balls, and international professional and singing, traditional Brass rackets for table tennis and and material resources. It was bands are popular. badminton, ropes and other founded in February 2002 by "Djurdjevdan" is also the name sports equipment donated by the Government of the of a popular song by band the Foundation "Together - Republic of Slovenia, Bijelo dugme. Regional Centre for the nongovernmental organization Psychosocial Well-being of Slovene Philanthropy and City AMBRELA is a Children”. The director of of Ljubljana. The Foundation nongovernmental organisation Ambrela Ljatife Šikovska and Together is active in the from the Skopje Municipality of executive director Aida regions of South-Eastern Šuto Orizari that deals with Mustafovska accepted the Europe, Iraq, and North social integration and donation on behalf of the Caucasus. empowerment of the Romani Roma children. population in Macedonia. Their The Roma festival Ederlezi – main activities are connected The Foundation Together that Djurdjevdan celebrates the to education, human rights and donated the sports equipment return of springtime and is awareness-raising on political has been initiated as an idea to considered the most important participation and discrimination protect and improve the among Roma community. The within Macedonian society. psychosocial well-being of traditions of the Roma children in areas which have Djurdjevdan are based on been affected by armed decorating the home with conflict, war, terrorist attack, flowers and blooming twigs as natural disaster or technical a welcoming to spring. It also accidents, and by its includes taking baths added unfavourable social with flowers and washing consequences they bring. hands with water from church wells. http://www.ambrela.org.mk/ P . 3 Humanitarian Action Go Pink! Raising the awareness about breast cancer! Skopje, 28 May 2011 The association for fight against breast cancer “Borka – For each new day”, in cooperation with the Association Integrity Alpha and Omega and the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia for the third time organized a pink walk to raise awareness about breast cancer as a potentially curable disease. Following the example of the world, they organize this pink walk in order