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REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SLOVENIAN NEWSLETTER

JANUARY-MARCH 2013

Embassy of Republic of Slovenia H-1025 Budapest Tel:+ 36 1 438 56 00 web: budapest.embassy.si

In this issue Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek at reception for newly-elected government hosted by President Borut Pahor: "Government's priority is Slovenia in 2013".................................................. 1 Priorities of the new Government of the Republic of Slovenia ............................................. 2 Press release on the decisions taken by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.............. 2

1st Government Session led by Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek .................................................... 3 Establishment of the National Committee for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the World War I........................................................... 3 Minister Turk on the celebration in honour of the Day of Slovenian Culture (France Prešeren Day) in Szentgotthárd ........................................... 3 Meeting between Slovenian and Hungarian Defence Ministers in Lendava .............................. 4 Meeting with representatives of the Hungarian-Slovenian section of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce....................................................... 4 Seminary on Maritime Law and Rotterdam Rules, the presentation of Port of Koper .............. 4

Presentation of Slovenian tourism and cuisine for Hungarian journalists..................................... 4 Slovenian participation in international tourism fairs Utazás in Budapest ....................................... 4 Working meeting with representatives of the Hungarian economic institutions and companies .............................................................. 5 Meeting with executives of Mercedes Benz factory in Kecskemét ............................................. 5 Scientific project on the Raba Region Slovenes in "Hungarian Gulag" ......................................... 5 Academic Slovenian Language Circle in Budapest ................................................................ 5 Performance by Lumpert Trio and Kaja Draksler ................................................................. 6

Concert of Piano Trio Barcarola.......................... 6

Performance of Dalibor Miklavčič....................... 6 Performance of Vlado Kreslin at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest................... 7

Exhibition of Dubravko Baumgartner .................7

Concert of Siddharta............................................. 7 Tina Maze - Unreachable milestone: 2,414 points! .................................................................... 8 Matjaž Tančič, the best 3-D photographer in the world ...................................................................... 8 Preparations for EuroBasket 2013....................... 8

Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek at reception for newly-elected government hosted by President Borut Pahor: "Government's priority is Slovenia in 2013"

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, attended the reception for the newly elected Slovenian Government hosted by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor. In a short speech, she thanked the President for his words of encouragement and said: "Our project at this moment is Slovenia in 2013, because we are all aware that the year before us is the key year. Hard work awaits us, however, we are not afraid of it. We know that there will be many obstacles, but we are ready to face them." Ms Bratušek continued that Slovenia is a stable country therefore any comparisons with Cyprus are neither appropriate nor necessary at this time. "According to my assessment," she added, "Slovenia can solve its problems, including fiscal ones, on its own. The government team is young, educated and optimistic. We will move forward in large steps, for the people and for the country."

Slovenian Newsletter, January-March 2013

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Alenka Bratušek and Borut Pahor Photo: Igor Zaplatil/Delo President Borut Pahor then addressed the gathered guests and said that at this moment Slovenia "needs practical measures and visionary action". He pointed out that, in addition to short-term actions, a long-term vision needs to be created and in both "we can and must work together". He drew attention to the work of the National Assembly and the Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as to good cooperation with the opposition, social partners – both employers and employees – and a number of other non-governmental organizations. The President wished the Prime Minister and the Government all the best and a lot of courage and luck. He expressed his readiness for cooperation, which the Prime Minister accepted with the words "government's doors will always be open for good initiatives".

Priorities of the new Government of the Republic of Slovenia

The Government has created program of priorities, which will be crucial for the work of the government until the end of term. These are: 1. Consolidation of public finances, 2. Improving conditions for business, 3. Improve payment discipline, 4. Improving the functioning of the labor market, 5. More effective prosecution of economic crime and 6. Structural measures and institutional adjustments. Within these priorities are quite a few attractive laws and measures that will implement the

goverment's objectives. There are 27 measures, the most vulnerable are: the introduction of fiscal cash registers, spatial planning acts of third development axis, the taxation of banks' total assets, elimination of administrative barriers and the adoption of the Law on prevention of late payments, reform of labor legislation, the amendment of the laws of the State Prosecutor, Criminal Procedure, the Courts and Judicial Service, the modernization of the health system, and adjustments in the management of public institutions and many others. Some measures are designed as a faster and shorter-term and, given the urgent needs of the economy, in particular, should be taken in the first phase - this includes in particular measures in the field of improvement of payment discipline and effective prosecution of economic crime, while some of the other measures, especially, the modernization of the labor market, public administration and the health care system, are more long-term in nature and may be extended after coordination with the social partners and then be adopted in a year. Government will provide financial stabilization of the budgets for 2011 and 2012, after the implementation of most measures of exit strategies and disruptive actions of a structural nature, such as pension reform, adopted by all other necessary steps, through which we as a country can stabilize the economic situation and prepare for breakthrough in 2012 and thereafter.

Press release on the decisions taken by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia appointed Mateja Vraničar for Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance, Tina Brecelj for Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, Monika Kirbiš Rojs for Secretary of State and Uroš Rožič for Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology on its first correspondence session on 25 March 2013. Also Dejan Levanič was appointed for State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Aljuš Pertinač and Mirko Pečarič for State Secretarys at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and


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Ales Črnič for State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture. The Government resolved the current General Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Janez Lampe and appointed Tinka Teržan for Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. The Government appointed Žarko Bogunovič for Acting General Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and Ljiljana Kodrič for Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of Culture. The Government has resolved and appointed new directors of certain directorates. It resolved Cveto Uršič from his post as General Director at the Directorate of Disabled, War Veterans and Victims of War at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, and appointed Dragica Bac for vicegerent. Ana Vodičar was appointed to the position of incumbent general director for family at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Ministerial corps relieved from his post Miro Petek on 30.4.2013 as general Director of the Media Directorate at the Ministry of Culture and appointed Ženja Leiler Kos as Acting Deputy General Director. The government relieved Barbara Koželj Podlogar from the position of General Director of the Directorate for creativity at the Ministry of Culture and appointed Gašper Troha, PhD, for Acting General Director.

1st Government Session led by Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek

On 20 March 2013 the Slovene Parliament elected the 11th Government of the Republic of Slovenia, led by Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek, with 52 votes. The cabinet was selected from the four coalition parties: Positive Slovenia, Social Democrats, Civic List and Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia. After the election, Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek pointed out that the government would strive to reduce the political turmoil within the country, to jumpstart the economy, to

consolidate public finances and stabilize the banking system. The new Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek took over most current affairs from outgoing Prime Minister Janez Janša. She also thanked the former Prime Minister for all the good his government had done for Slovenia and stated in her press release that her government would do its best to continue good projects that have already been started. She also added that the Slovene economy needs to gain new momentum, to create new job opportunities, more optimism and hope, but above all cooperation. Her predecessor congratulated the new Prime Minister on the election of her government and expressed a desire for cooperation for the common good. Responsibilities were also handed over at most government departments.

Establishment of the National Committee for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the World War I

The Government has established a National Committee for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the World War I (2014-2018), which, in collaboration with the cultural, educational and scientific institutions, associations and similar committees at the local level, will provide coordinated operation in the country throughout the four-year period.

Minister Turk on the celebration in honour of the Day of Slovenian Culture (France Prešeren Day) in Szentgotthárd

Minister for Education, Science, Culture and Sport ŽigaTurk, PhD, addressed the celebration of the Day of Slovenian Culture, which was held in Szentgotthárd on 8 February 2013. The celebration was attended and addressed by the Hungarian Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog as well. This is the first time that the Prešeren celebration was attended by Porabje Slovenes together with high representatives of Slovenia and Hungary. Minister Turk pointed out that this event signifies a new dimension in the relations between


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Slovenia and Hungary, and in the care of the two countries for minorities, as connecting people and

Minister Žiga Turk Photo: www.mizs.gov.si ideas creates valuable space for cooperation and friendship. He stressed the importance and symbolism of this particular visit: twenty years ago, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia ratified the agreement on the special rights of the Hungarian minority in Slovenia and the Slovenian minority in Hungary. In this context, he emphasized the importance of bilingual schools and media in Raba region as well as efforts of both countries to improve the position of their respective minorities.

Meeting between Slovenian and Hungarian Defence Ministers in Lendava

Slovenian and Hungarian Ministers of Defence Aleš Hojs and Csaba Hende met in Lendava on 15 March 2013. They reviewed bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary in defence, including the implementation of the Air Policing in the NATO framework. After the talks, two ministers laid wreaths at the István Szécheny memorial plaque and attended the ceremony marking the commemoration of the Hungarian revolution and fight for freedom in 1848-1849.

Photo: Pomurec.si

Meeting with representatives of the Hungarian-Slovenian section of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce

The Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret held a meeting with Géza Balog, President of Hungarian-Slovenian section of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, at the Embassy on 18 January 2013. In the interview, he discussed the possibility of deepening bilateral economic cooperation and organization of common events for Slovenian and Hungarian companies.

Seminar on Maritime Law and Rotterdam Rules, the presentation of Port of Koper

The event was opened with introductory speech by the Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret and Michele Orzan, President of EuCham. The main speech was held by Jana Rodica, Managing Director of Samer & Co. Shipping Ltd. from Koper, who presented the history and content of the Rotterdam Rules. Also Gordan Ban, the representative of the Port of Koper in Hungary, was attending the event and he presented the importance of the port for the Hungarian market and future plans of its development.

Presentation of Slovenian tourism and cuisine for Hungarian journalists

At the initiative of the Hungarian National Association of Journalists on 15 February the Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret held a presentation of the main features of Slovenian tourism and cuisine. She presented the basic information about Slovenia, its geographical location, transport connections, features regions. She particularly expressed satisfaction over the positive trends visit of Hungarian tourists and overnight stays, which are in continuous growth.

Slovenian participation in international tourism fairs Utazás in Budapest

the 36th Budapest International tourist fair Utazás took placebetween 28 February and 3 March , which was attended by the Slovenian representative agency SPIRIT and nine Slovenian tourism enterprises: Bled Culture Institute,


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Sportina, Terme Catež, Tourism Ljubljana, Terme Maribor, TIC Maribor, Julian Alps, Sava Hotels&Resorts and Postojna Cave.

Working meeting with representatives of the Hungarian economic institutions and companies

On 13 March 2013 Embassy of RS held a working lunch with representatives of the Hungarian institutions of the economic field, the Society of Slovenian-Hungarian businessmen and representatives of Slovenian companies in Hungary. There were concrete proposals for enhancing bilateral cooperation and organizing common business events.

Meeting with executives of Mercedes Benz factory in Kecskemét

At the initiative of the Embassy a working meeting of executives of Mercedes Benz factory with representatives from ACS, the Port of Koper and Slovenian Railways took placeon 21 March. . Representatives of Slovenian companies presented their business activities and interests in establishing and deepening cooperation with the German company Mercedes in Hungary.

Scientific project on the Raba Region Slovenes in "Hungarian Gulag"

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia and the Institute for Minority Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences organized a presentation of the scientific project on the Raba Region Slovenes in "Hungarian gulag", held in Budapest on 19 March 2013.

Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret in scientists Katalin Hirnök Munda and Attila Kovács

Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret addressed the event, which was attended by representatives of Slovenian minority and Slovenes living in Budapest, representatives of the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources, historians and scholars, students and other interested public. Slovenian researchers Katalin Hirnök Munda and Attila Kovács from the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana presented the research project, covering the period of the Rákosi regime in Hungary. Because of the then political situation and iron curtain between ex Yugoslavia and Hungary the Hungarian authorities conducted numerous procedures against Slovenian minority that have been initiated on suspicion of spying and smuggling in the border area. Slovenians became potential enemies of the regime and were deported to the provinces of Hortobágy, Nagykunság and Hajdúság to 12 closed labour camps that operated from 1950 to 1953. Former inmates and the villagers, who weren’t deported, after a long period of silence were interviewed on camp experiences and the then life in the border region.

Academic Slovenian Language Circle in Budapest

At the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia and in cooperation with the Slovenian language lectureship at the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) the founding meeting of the Academic Slovenian Language Circle was held in Budapest on 18 March 2013.

Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret

The Academic Slovenian Language Circle will be dedicated to the deepening of knowledge of Slovenia and Slovenians, in particular the


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Slovenian culture and science, and to share knowledge of Slovenian language in Budapest and elsewhere in Hungary. In this context, it will host cultural, educational and social events, and field excursions to Slovenia. The Circle will be open for cooperation with Slovenian minority organizations and Slovenian-speaking in Hungary.

The founding members

The meeting, chaired by the Slovenian language lector at the ELTE Mladen Pavičić, PhD, was attended by Slovenians, who are studying or working in Budapest, Hungarian students of Slovenian language, representatives of the Slovenian minority and many friends of Slovenia in Budapest The Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret has welcomed the establishment of the Academic Circle. She stressed the importance of Slovenian language as a pillar of Slovenian culture and identity. She expressed her belief that the Circle in cooperation with the Slovenian association and Slovenian Self-Government in Budapest will contribute significantly to the preservation of the Slovenian minority in Hungary, and to strengthening linguistic and cultural ties as well as cooperation between the Slovenian and the Hungarian side.

Performance by Lumpert Trio and Kaja Draksler

Lumpert Trio performed in Palace of Arts in Budapest on 11th of January. Pianist Kaja Draksler had a solo piano performance, too. Both

events took place in the context of regional jazz festival (Regional Jazz Showcase), with the participation of artists from the Western Balkans and neighboring countries of Hungary. Slovenian players performed on the open? part of the festival, which was according to the term (Friday afternoon) solidly visited mainly by the younger audience. In addition to the promotion of Slovenian jazz, Lumpert Trio and Kaja Draksler´s performance is also important to strengthen the relations with the Palace of Art, which is the central institution of music in Hungary.

Concert of Piano Trio Barcarola

On the Slovenian Cultural Holiday the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia organized a concert of Piano Trio Barcarolain the Marble Hall of the Museum of Military History on 31 January 2013.

Piano Trio Barcarola Photo: Piano Trio Barcarola

The trio includes Simona ðonlić (piano), Gregor Hrabar (violin) and Zrinka Vlasić (cello). The Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret presented the importance of Slovenian culture and language as the foundation of the Slovenian identity and national authenticity in her speech. She stressed the importance of Prešeren and his poetry. Members of the diplomatic corps, the Ombudsman, representatives of various countries and cultural areas, members of the Slovenian Association in Budapest, business partners and other partners of the embassy were among the invited guests.

Performance of Dalibor Miklavčič

On the 24th February Slovenian harpsichordist and organist Dalibor Miklavčič performed in the Palace of Arts. Solo concert took place in the


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cycle of organ music, which was organized by the Art Palace. The program was carried out on musical instruments with pedals, in addition to organ and on harpsichord and piano with pedals. The program included Bach, Mendelssohn and Chopin, next to the works of contemporary authors and his own compositions for organ Dalibor Miklavčič is considered to be one of the surpluses Slovenian artists presenting classical / serious music in Hungary. He got good critics in the media.

Dalibor Miklavčič Photo: www.mupa.hu

Performance of Vlado Kreslin at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest

On 18 March 2013, Slovenian musician Vlado Kreslin performed at the founding meeting of the Academic Circle Slovenian language in Budapest. Musician served a two-hour repertoire, which included all of his hits and impressed the filled hall of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest. The impressed audience followed the performance by singing and rewarded the musician with thunderous applause.

Vlado Kreslin

Exhibition of Dubravko Baumgartner

Dubravko Baumgartner, painter from Lendava had an exhibition in Gallery Hegyvidék in Budapest between 13 and 26 March. The exhibition contained initial parts of the series "Pannonian walls" and "Rusty." Krisztina Fonti, deputy major of the XIIth district held the welcome speech. Exhibition was opened by Franc Gerič, retired director of the Museum- Gallery Lendava. The opening was musically

Painter Dubravko Baumgartner Photo: www.hegyvidek.hu

accompanied by Kristina Kocsisné Dióssy (recorder) and Eszter Revesz (transverse flute).

Concert of Siddharta

On Thursday, 28 March 2013, the R33 club in Budapest held a concert of Slovenian rock band Siddharta Austrian group The Overrals performed as support act and they did a good job at inflaming the audience.

Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret with the group Photo: Siddharta

Siddharta impressed their fans from many European countries - including Slovenes,


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Hungarians, Germans, Serbs, etc. either. The audience energetically sang the group’s well-known hits, both in English and in Slovenian. The concert impressed everyone

Tina Maze - Unreachable milestone: 2,414 points!

Maze ended this year's World Cup season as a winner of super giant slalom and giant slalom , she was also first in combination, and second in the downhill and slalom. In the end she gathered an unbelievable sum of 2414 points in the World Cup. By doing so she improved more than two decades old landmark of legendary Austrian ace Hermann Maier who won exactely 2000 points in the 1999/2000 season. Maria Höfl-Riesch was the runner up for Maze and she won 1313 points less than Maze. She reached the first victory of the season at the introduction to the season in Sölden. Since then, she was always in fantastic shape. In the incredible set of top rankings she reached 24

Tina Maze Photo: www.ukom.gov.si

podiums: 11 wins, 7 second and 6 third places. In her flagship discipline giant slalom she stood on podium at every race of the season: 5 wins, 3 second places and 1 third place.

Matjaž Tančič, the best 3D photographer in the world

The photography Time Keeper brought him the award. International organization World Photography Organisation (WPO) awarded Slovenian photographer Matjaž Tančič with Sony award. He is one of the pioneers of 3D images in the world and also its greatest master.

Tančič´s winning photo Time Keeper was inspired by living room arrangement that is typical of Chinese Hui ethnic minority and can be found in rural homes in Jiksian in China.

Winning photography Photo: www.ukom.gov.si

Tančič started his career as a photojournalist at Mladina, later turned into fashion photographer, which led him to different cooperations with media at home and abroad. In his fashion photography the reportage style remains clearly seen, at least in the constant search for interesting locations and that "something more" posed by the unpredictability of reportage photography. Tančič published his photographs in Vogue, L'Officiel, Inspire and others. The winning photo will be a part of the exhibition in 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, which will be hosted from 26 April to 12 May in Somerset House in London.

Preparations for EuroBasket 2013

From 4 to 22 September this year Slovenia will host the biggest sporting event in its history – 38th European Basketball Championship, EuroBasket 2013. Preliminary stages will be held in Celje, Ljubljana, Koper and Jesenice and the knockout stage will be in Ljubljana. The number of participating teams is 24. The official mascot of the championship is Lipko.

Photo: www.tim-art.si


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The Slovenian Newsletter is produced by the Embassy of Republic of Slovenia in Budapest and is available on www.budapest.embassy.si

You are most welcome to send us your comment or request for a subscription on: [email protected] Editor: Maja Žižek

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