YPFP Event at S-ABA Announcement: the Embassy Business Consular of Slovenia Conference Hours in NYC page 2 > page 3 > page 4 > NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 22, 2013, VOLUME 9, NUMBER 42 U.S. Slovenia Political- Military Consultations On November 18, the seventh military-political Photo was taken in December 2012 in Ljubljana during last year’s political consultations with the U.S. consultations between the U.S. and Slovenia were The dialogue focused on facilitating the deployment of a conducted at the U.S. a wide range of political and multinational stabilization force Department of State. Deputy military issues, including shared to Bosnia and Herzegovina after Assistant Secretary of State strategic challenges in the region the conclusion of the Dayton for Political–Military Affairs, and continuation of efforts to Accords. The United States Gregory Kausner, and Director enhance partnerships in security supported Slovenia’s 2004 General for Global Issues and cooperation, peacekeeping, non accession to the North Atlantic Multilateral Political Relations proliferation, and disarmament. Alliance and continues to work at the Slovenian Ministry of Since 1992, the United with the Slovenian military to Foreign Affairs, Ambassador States and the Republic of promote greater cooperation Dragoljuba Benčina, chaired Slovenia have developed and interoperability with NATO the dialogue that was built an impressive track record forces, including in its current on the success of last year’s of cooperation on bilateral, roles as a contributor to both meeting, held on December regional, and global issues. the KFOR mission in Kosovo and 11, 2012, in Ljubljana, Slovenia provided assistance to to the International Security Slovenia. the United States and NATO by Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW twitter.com/SLOinUSA Washington, D.C. 20008, USA T: +1 202 386 66 01 E: [email protected] facebook.com/SLOembassyUSA washington.embassy.si Slovenia has also made critical discussed future cooperation in Director General Benčina contributions to international bilateral military and security field. outlined Slovenian foreign peacekeeping efforts. Director General policy priorities and presented Since 1998, the United Ambassador Dragoljuba Slovenian candidacy for States has supported Slovenia’s Benčina also met on the side the United Nations Human development of ITF Enhancing with Acting Assistant Secretary Rights Council for the period Human Security, an organization in the Bureau of Political- 2016–2018. Furthermore, she specializing in mines and weapons Military Affairs, Thomas P. outlined Slovenia’s aspirations destruction and abatement Kelly, and also with Acting for promoting the Responsibility programs. Since 1998, ITF has Assistant Secretary of State for to Protect concept as well as enabled public and private donors International Organizations, presented the invitation to to address lingering threats from Dean Pittman, with Dr. E. the International seminar on landmines, unexploded munitions, William Colglazier, Science Mediation in the Mediterranean, and other post-conflict challenges and Technology Adviser to the which will be hosted by Slovenia such as landmine survivors’ Secretary of State and Director in March 2014. assistance and reducing excess, for Central and Northern Europe (Source: U.S. Department of deteriorating, and potentially at the National Security Council, State Press Release, Slovenian at-risk munitions stockpiles. As Lynette M. Behnke. MFA Press Release) part of the dialogue, both parties In these meetings, EVENTS Young Professionals in Foreign Policy at the Embassy On Wednesday, November 20, the Embassy of Slovenia hosted members and guests of the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy community, which consists of promising young professionals with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, all of whom are bound together by an interest in addressing global challenges. The young leaders were first addressed by Ambassador Dr. Cerar, who presented Slovenian current foreign policy in the geopolitical context of the country. He pointed out that Slovenia, Ambassador addressed around 40 young professionals. The event was organiized placed at the crossroads of main in cooperation with Ms. Anna Atlaskina and Ms. Elisabeth Polich of YPFP. European cultural and trade routes, gained its independence in geographical position, the country democracy and human rights, are 1991 and less than 15 years later is nowadays also member of the reflected in its foreign and national became a member of EuroAtlantic Alpine Group and, at the same time, security policy. integrations, both the NATO because of its short, but important The ambassador’s address Alliance and the E.U. He stressed share of the Adriatic coast, also was followed by a Q and A session, that Slovenia is a central European a Mediterranean one. All these which led into a comprehensive country, historically linked to the features, together with certain conversation that continued with a Habsburg Empire as well as to the historical facts, pursuit of national reception with Slovenian wine and Western Balkans. Because of its interests, but also promotion of culinary delights. NOVEMBER 22, 2013, PAGE 2 S-ABA BUSINESS CONFERENCE ‘Slovenia: Business Opportunities for U.S. Companies’ Consul General Žmauc with Ray J. Marvar and Jeninifer Consul General Žmauc and Economic Counselor Gorazd Stueber of the Tucker Ellis LLP. Renčelj with Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek. On November 14, of Manufacturing in America’. a total of 36 companies:22 from 2013, the Slovenian American Raymond Marvar and his Slovenia and 14 from the U.S. Business Association (S-ABA) colleagues from the law firm of Along with the regular held in Cleveland, OH, a business Tucker Ellis LLP followed up with activities planned for promoting conference titled ‘Slovenia: a corporate overview of doing business relations between Business Opportunities for business in the United States. Slovenia and the U.S., SABA plans U.S. Companies’. The goal Two companies that were to hold its 2nd Annual Business of the conference was to already engaged in international Conference in 2014 in the city of promote business relations trade (one of them through Pittsburgh. between American and SABA) gave very informative During the conference, Slovenian companies. With presentations summarizing their Slovenian wines by St. Tomas, over 60 companies from across business ventures. The first, and Črnko and Protner, Laško Slovenia, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, presented by Dr. Zorica Črnjak, beer, and Slovenia Vodka were all Pennysylvania, and New York, outlined the collaboration between promoted by Mr. Emil Gaspari, a it was the very first Slovenian The PoliMat Center of Excellence Slovenian wine and beer importer business conference organized in located in Slovenia and the Austen in New York. the state of Ohio. Bioinnovation Institute, located in The city of Cleveland At the beginning of the the city of Akron, Ohio. The second awarded to the president of SABA, conference, Gorazd Renčelj, example described the partnership Mr. Jože Kokal, a proclamation Economic Counselor at the between Grah Lighting of Slovenia recognizing him for encouraging Slovenian Embassy in Washington and WIRIC Corporation of Detroit, and strengthening business ties DC, spoke about the current Michigan; it was presented by Phil between Cleveland and the Republic economic climate in Slovenia with Warburton, President and General of Slovenia. Additional sponsors special emphasis on privatization. Manager of WIRIC Corp. included SPIRIT Slovenia, the Petra Mitchell, the president and To conclude the Slovenian Consulate in Cleveland, CEO of the company Catalyst conference, Jurček Žmauc, Consul Team NEO, and Tucker Ellis LLC. Connection, based in Pittsburgh, General of the Republic of Slovenia More information about SABA is PA, presented a very interesting in Cleveland, introduced all of the available at: http://www.sloaba. topic, titled ‘The Resurgence members of SABA. This included com/ (Jurček Žmauc, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia) NOVEMBER 22, 2013, PAGE 3 BUSINESS “Luxury Slovenia” Brand Presentation On Friday, November 15, the Embassy of Slovenia, together with the tourist agency Imperial Travel from Slovenia organized a presentation of Luxury Slovenia brand, introducing Slovenia as a luxury tourism destination. In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Dr. Cerar outlined the importance of the tourist sector for Slovenian economy. He emphasized Slovenia’s advantages as a luxury destination: its combination of modern infrastructure along with beautiful and diverse nature and genuine hospitality, which provide sophisticated guests with Duo Drumartica presented music by European composers. unsurpassed luxury. Imperial Travel’s General most recognized partners of location only five minutes from Managing Partner Mattej Valenčič Luxury Slovenia such as the elite the center of Ljubljana. Mr. presented Luxury Slovenia countryside luxury apartment Valenčič also presented Slovenia as a highly accomplished complex Pule Estate, Premium as a hospitable destination for brand which boasts quality, winemaker from Primorska LGBT guests. More information exceptional service and perfect region Kocijančič-Zanut winery about Luxury Slovenia trademark balance between price and and the luxurious G Design can be found at: http://www. top-quality luxury. He outlined Hotel that boasts an excellent luxuryslovenia.eu ANNOUNCEMENT Consular Hours in New York City