CHANCELLOR SCHUESSEL CALLS ON PRESIDENT KUCAN

Ljubljana, 20 February 2002


In talks held today with Austrian Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, President of the Republic, Milan Kucan, first expressed his satisfaction with the very friendly atmosphere of Slovenian-Austrian relations which allows for an open dialogue on all topical issues, including the most sensitive bilateral issues.

The interlocutors touched on several questions in their talks. They discussed the enlargement process of the European Union, Europe's positions on the completely new challenges of globalisation, the place and the role of Central Europe in regional integration processes within the EU aimed at ensuring an equal voice to both small and large EU member states. They also discussed a strategic partnership, which, in the words of President Kucan, should have a very clearly defined substance based on the mutual recognition of the objective interests of either partner. The President and the Chancellor also spoke about the situation in SE Europe and about the possibilities for joint action in stabilising the region and providing for its economic development.

Regarding bilateral issues Chancellor Shuessel expressed his satisfaction with the ratification of the culture agreement, thanking the President particularly for receiving the representatives of the community of German origin from Kocevje.

Concerning the Slovenian minority in Austria and the current events in this regard, President Kucan again expressed his belief that shifting the resolution of these issues from the political to the legal plane provides a sound guarantee that Austria - as a state governed by the rule of law – will find a principled solution.