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Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_02February4 - Index

Editorial: Government Communication Office, Director: Anže Logar, MSc, GregorËiËeva 25,
1000 Ljubljana, tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2605, fax +386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.ukom.gov.si,
Editor-in-Chief: Vesna ŽarkoviË, vesna.zarkovic@gov.si, Editorial Board: Valentin Hajdinjak, Branko Vidrih,
Gregor ©uc. Production editing: Nicha d.o.o., Translation: PSD Translation Services, Printed by: Littera Picta
d.o.o., Number of copies: 4600
Available also at: www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publication/sinfo
9-11 WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
Former President Janez drnov©ek dies
eConomiC Crime: CriminaL investiGation in
ConstrUCtion ComPanies
Protesters Break sLovenian emBassy in
BeLGrade
14 − 16 INTERVIEW
dimitriJ rUPeL (minister oF ForeiGn aFFairs):
in the sPhere oF ForeiGn PoLiCy, the CentraL
Priority oF the sLovenian PresidenCy is
UndoUBtedLy ensUrinG a eUroPean FUtUre For
the Western BaLkans
20-21 OUR EXCELLENCE
PiPistreL aCross the toP oF the WorLd, moUnt
everest
27-28 CULTURAL TRAILS
100 years oF the sLovenian PhiLharmoniC
Cover photo: Pipistrel Archive
3
Anæe Logar
EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Less than two years ago in the European Parliament in
Strasbourg, the Prime Ministers of Germany, Portugal and
Slovenia presented the programme and priorities of the ‘Trio’
Presidency for the next year and a half. At the European Union
level, the ‘period of reflection’ following two unsuccessful
EU Constitutional Treaty referendums was coming to an
end. Germany’s goal was to reach a consensus on the new
institutional basis of the Union. There were few people who
believed in its success.
It was also the period of so-called enlargement weariness.
Numerous sources declared a long break before taking the
next steps to fulfil the Thessaloniki Agenda requirements.
The western Balkan countries felt that the wind was not
favourable. There were many people who pointed to a decline
in ‘reform ambition’ in these countries due to the remoteness
of membership. Nevertheless, Slovenia put the territory of the
western Balkans in the context of enlargement and European
perspective discussions as one of its core activities during the
six-month Presidency of the Union.
Even if Slovenia had not done so, the aforementioned
would still be the central topic during the first two months
of the Presidency. Kosovo has declared independence and
thus become the main topic of discussions at the EU level
and globally. Defence Ministers, Ministers of the Interior
and Justice Ministers are all talking about Kosovo (as well).
Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the other hand are talking
first of all about Kosovo. In this Sinfo issue, you can read an
interview with the President of the EU General Affairs and
External Relations Council, Dimitrij Rupel, who coordinates
the work of his European colleagues.
At the mentioned press conference held in the European
Parliament one year ago, the Slovenian Prime Minister,
Janez Janša, stressed: “The place of the western Balkan
countries is in the European Union.” About 400 days later,
all representatives of the European Union are pointing this
out, so to speak. The western Balkan countries have an ideal
opportunity to move towards the Union and carry out all
necessary reforms. This time, the European wind is blowing
directly behind their sails.
Government Communication Office: www.ukom.gov.si
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Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info
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Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si
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Ljubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.si
Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: www.stat.si
State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si
Slovenian Presidency of the EU 2008: www.eu2008.si
february 08 sinfo