NEWS
Prime Minister Janez Janša: "Slovenia is thankful to fellow Slovenians around the world"
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, today planted a linden tree of friendship in Ñuñoa district of Santiago de Chile and, on this occasion, also met with representatives of Slovenians living in Chile. "We are thankful to you, our fellow Slovenians from South America, for your support in gaining the international recognition of our country and your continued assistance on Slovenia's road ahead. Chile and Argentina were the first two Latin American countries that recognised the Republic of Slovenia, and a large part of the credit for that goes to you," Prime Minister Janša said in his address. He commended fellow Slovenians for their work, ideas and example that contribute towards creating our country, and for their efforts to preserve the Slovenian language and culture and provide secure future for new generations. "Let this linden tree, a symbol of Slovenia and the Slovenian nation, grow peacefully and represent a living link between the homeland and you, who live around the world," Prime Minister Janša said.
The number of Slovenians living in Chile is estimated at around 300. Their migration (mostly from Primorska region) was prompted by the economic situation prevailing before and after the Second World War; today, migrants come from Slovenia and Argentina. There has been an association of Slovenians in Chile (Altos de Triglav) operating in Santiago de Chile since 2009.
Prime Minister attends the 1st Summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) under the title Alliance for Sustainable Development: Promoting Investments of Social and Environmental Quality that started today in Santiago de Chile. The Summit is attended by the leaders and high political representatives of 60 European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean countries representing over 1.1 billion inhabitants. The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. On the margins of the Summit, Prime Minister Janša will hold several bilateral meetings.