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Prime Minister Borut Pahor guest of the 15th Slovenian Science Festival "From caves to stars"

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today attended and delivered an address at the 15th Slovenian Science Festival in Cankarjev dom. Before the festival opening, he visited the exhibition space on the first floor of Cankarjev dom in the company of Dr Edvard Kobal. Prime Minister Pahor began his address by congratulating the hosts for the excellent organisation of the event and said that he was extremely happy to be its honorary patron, adding that the festival "is the perfect opportunity to underpin the Government’s determination to accelerate investments in knowledge in the present economic slowdown."
 

(Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 
Mr Pahor continued by saying that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology had last week published the results of the public invitation to tender for Centres of Excellence 2009. The ministry awarded almost eight million euros to eight centres at which research institutes and universities will work hand in hand with companies. He further stressed the importance of Slovenia’s decision to join the European Space Agency, which, he said "will enable Slovenian institutes and companies to participate in space research."
 

(Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 
Prime Minister Pahor also mentioned the knowledge triangle, a relatively new notion in Europe, referring to the interaction between research, education and innovation. "I am convinced that these three interconnected elements provide impetus to development and  as prime minister, I will underpin all three corners," said Mr Pahor. He concluded by underlining the importance of events such as the science festival, which help the general public understand the work of scientists and, he added, "sensitise young people to the idea that science is vital for achieving progress and enhancing the quality of our lives."