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Meeting with Mironov

Ljubljana, 07/28/2006  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today received the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergey Mironov.

In President Drnovšek’s words, the Russian Chapel on Vršič has become a symbol of the desire of both countries to forge closer ties, as well as a symbol of the universal striving for peace and understanding among nations. Dr Drnovšek said he was pleased at the rapid pace of development of relations between Slovenia and Russia. He went on to recall that, five years before, at the first meeting with the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Putin, they jointly set the objective of doubling trade between the two countries, which amounted to half a million US dollars at the time. This objective has already been achieved, and therefore it is realistic to set a new goal of doubling the current level of trade.

President Drnovšek expressed his conviction that European integration must involve all countries, Russia included.

Regarding priorities on the agenda of Slovenia’s EU presidency, both politicians mentioned the protection of national and other minorities. Dr Drnovšek agreed with Chairman Mironov’s assessment that, according to European conventions, protection also applies to members of Russian minorities living in the states of the former Soviet Union.

In addition, Dr Drnovšek and Mr Mironov stressed the importance of co-operation in the field of culture and, in this context, the opportunities offered by the Forum of Slavic Cultures based in Ljubljana.