NEWS

The Council of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, met today at its first regular meeting in its new term of office. The members of the Council are the members of organisations of autochthonous Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries who have rich experience in focusing on the development of the autochthonous national communities in neighbouring countries and the Slovenian ministers and state secretaries dealing with the issue of Slovenian minorities in the neighbouring countries. 

Today, the Council discussed the key issues faced by the autochthonous Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries and starting points for the operation of the Council of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad in its new term of office. At the Council's meeting, a debate focused on new challenges and priorities of the cooperation between Slovenia and the autochthonous Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries.

Members of the Council expressed their thanks to the Slovenian Government for its active and continuous support in their efforts to regulate their status in their home countries and provision of systemic financing. They agreed that a common cultural area will come to life if they all join their efforts to solve the open issues remaining between Slovenia and neighbouring countries in connection with the status of the autochthonous national communities.  The next important step was upgrading policies and strategies that would provide solutions for new challenges in the fields of culture, language, science, economy, sports, intergenerational cooperation, youth and cross-border cooperation, in particular, in connection with drawing on European funds and cooperation between municipalities. Members of organisations of autochthonous Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries particularly emphasised that a successful development of the Republic of Slovenia is the best form of support.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia through its Office for Slovenians Abroad and through activities of various ministries and offices was seeking to create strong ties between the Slovenia and the Slovenians in neighbouring countries. The work focuses on development of the common cultural area, preservation of Slovenian identity, culture and cultural heritage and promotion of cooperation in science and economy. He welcomed the findings of the members of the Council that interest in learning the Slovenian language was on the increase in the border area.   

It was agreed that at its next meeting, the Council would discuss possible development of new forms of cooperation in the framework of a common Slovenian cultural area.  The new forms are provided, in particular, by new circumstances resulting form easier overcoming obstacles, which presented geographic, technological, administrative and other limitations in the past.