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Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_08_št.12 - Index

and cooperation, looking towards the future. With regard to open
issues and problems resulting from the dissolution of the former
Yugoslavia, the Slovenian minister highlighted the obligation
of both countries to develop mutual trust, to avoid incidents
and to resolve outstanding issues in line with European norms.
Regarding Croatia’s drawing closer to Euro-Atlantic integration,
Minister Rupel highlighted Slovenia’s interest in the stabilisation
of the Western Balkans and its integration into Euro-Atlantic
structures, with the aim of establishing an open European region
from Ljubljana to Athens with the extension of the Schengen and
euro areas. “Croatia is first in line,” added Foreign Minister Rupel.
Minister Rupel also addressed economic cooperation by stressing
tourism. He explained that Croatia was visited by more than a
million Slovenian tourists with 5.6 million overnight stays in the
last year. Slovenia’s investments exceed EUR 684 million, and
there are 140 companies with Slovenian capital active in Croatia;
trade in 2007 increased by 15.4%, with exports from Slovenia in
2007 amounting to EUR 1,568 million and imports from Croatia
to EUR 849 million. Cooperation in the field of culture is lively
as well, with guest performances, translations, various events,
exhibitions and numerous initiatives on both sides of the border.
U.S. AMBASSADOr vISItS AMErICAN
SLOvENIANS IN CLEvELAND
U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Yousif Ghafari paid a visit on 24 July
to American Slovenians in Cleveland, one of the biggest Slovenian
communities outside of Slovenia. Ghafari met around 45 of the
most visible representatives of the community at a restaurant
serving Slovenian delicacies. In a meeting at the Sterle Country
House restaurant, Ghafari described his experience of Slovenia so
far, which he said was positive. He particularly praised Slovenia's
progress in politics, economics and culture. Ghafari admitted
during his Senate hearing in April that he knew little about
Slovenia, but members of the Slovenian community in Cleveland
established at the meeting that the ambassador had learnt many
things since taking up office in late May. At the same hearing,
Ghafari promised to George Voinovich, a Republican senator of
Slovene descent, that he would visit the Slovenian community
in Cleveland. He fulfilled that promise on Tuesday. As part of
his visit, Ghafari also stopped by Cleveland State University,
which recently launched a centre for Slovenian studies. He also
toured the new Slovenian Museum and Archives in the Slovenian
National Centre. Before returning to Slovenia, the ambassador
also met representatives of the Cleveland Slovenian Business and
Professional Association.
LESS CrIME IN SLOvENIA IN FIrSt HALF
OF tHE yEAr
The number of crimes dropped 4.2% in Slovenia in the first half
of 2008, and the share of resolved crimes was up almost three
percentage points year on year, criminal police Chief Aleksander
Jevšek said on 4 August. The police registered 44,500 crimes
and 21,274 were resolved, Jevšek said. Jevšek pointed out at the
press conference today that the the number of resolved crimes
rose from 44.9% to 47.8% in the first half on 2008. Crimes
against physical integrity were down 11% compared to the same
period last year. The number of homicides went from 15 to 8,
and all of them were resolved, Jevšek said. The number of serious
injuries and attempted murders went up, but all of these criminal
acts were resolved. There were also fewer sexual crimes. Crimes
against property were down 10.1%, while there was also a drop
in the number of robberies and car thefts (52%), arsons (24%),
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and breaking and entering into residences. Jevšek attributes the
latter to a greater police presence. The level of juvenile crime
stayed roughly the same as in the first half of 2007, while the
police recorded a 245.7% rise in computer crime. According to
Jevšek, drug abuse crimes rose by 28.5%. There were 19.5%
more crimes of illegal production of and traffic in explosives. In
fighting terrorism, the police had no other work than the exchange
of information with foreign security bodies, Jevšek explained,
adding that the number of forensic studies also increased. The
police put 16 million queries to the Schengen Information System
in the first half of 2008, and 107 persons were captured based
on the information, 4,276 were denied entry into the country,
and 40 missing persons were found, Jevšek explained. Compared
to the first half of last year, the number of people who died in car
crashes went from 174 to 123, but one in every three responsible
for fatal crashes was driving under the influence of alcohol.
EUrOBArOMEtEr: EU PrESIDENCy
INCrEASED SUPPOrt FOr EU POLICIES
The latest Eurobarometer survey for Slovenia has shown that
support for EU policies has grown among Slovenians during
the country’s EU presidency. The survey, which was presented
at the European Commission representation in Ljubljana on 16
July, shows 71% of Slovenians believing that EU membership
brings a number of benefits. The share is much higher than
the EU average (54%) and on par with previous measurements.
An important increase has been recorded when it comes to
the perception of Slovenia's role in the EU: 73% said that
Slovenia's voice counted (up 4 percentage points compared to
six months earlier), and 56% believe that Slovenian interests
are being considered sufficiently (up 10 percentage points).
Slovenians' trust in European institutions also remains above
EU average, with 66% saying they trusted the bloc. As many
as 92% said they had come across media reports on Slovenia's
EU Presidency, whereas only a fifth of other EU citizens were
familiar with the fact the Slovenia held the presidency. Four
out of five Slovenians believe Slovenia's stint was important.
Support to the euro area is meanwhile up four percentage points
to 90%, which makes Slovenia the staunchest supporter of the
euro in the bloc. Along with Poland, Slovenia is also by far the
biggest supporter of further EU enlargement, the share of those
in favour standing at 74%. The EU average stands at 47%. While
89% remain satisfied with life, people are less optimistic about
the economic situation in the country: 17% believe the situation
will improve in the coming 12 months, 42% that it will get worse,
and 35% that it will remain unchanged.
PrIME MINIStEr JANEz JANšA rECEIvES
AwArD FOr EXCELLENCE IN GLOBAL
CANCEr CONtrOL
Last night at the World Cancer Congress 2008 in Geneva, the
International Union Against Cancer (UICC) conferred on the
Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, an award
for excellence in global cancer control for his efforts in cancer
prevention during Slovenia's Presidency of the Council of the
European Union, and as a result of the exceptional support of
the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in this field. The
Outstanding Government Official Award was received on behalf
of the Slovenian PM by the Health Minister, Zofija Mazej KukoviË
on 28 August. Other award winners include the Brazilian Health
Minister, Dr. José Gomes Temporão, Prof. Harald zur Hausen
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