Slovenian President on democratic representation of Carinthian Slovenes and on succession of Slovenia as a contracting party to the Austrian State Treaty

Ljubljana, 29.3.2010  |  press release

Statement by the President of the Republic of Slovenia on democratic representation of Carinthian Slovenes and on succession of Slovenia as a contracting party to the Austrian State Treaty

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, received the news related to the self-dissolution of the National Council of Carinthian Slovenes (NSKS) with understanding. The decision of the NSKS is a responsible and democratic act that offers Carinthian Slovenes a significant opportunity to organise themselves in an appropriate manner.

The Slovenian President has repeatedly pointed out that the current organisational structure of Carinthian Slovenes was developed under different circumstances and in an era burdened by ideological divisions. There has been a need for change and, in particular, for the introduction of an effective stance that would ensure the implementation of rights granted to Slovenes living in Austria by the Austrian State Treaty. The responsibility for the organisational structure of Carinthian Slovenes indeed lies first and foremost with their own organisations. It is, however, quite obvious that the time has come to thoroughly reconsider the situation and take serious decisions on the type of structure that would facilitate the pluralistic inclusion of the entire minority and provide its leadership with the necessary vigour and legitimacy in their efforts to realise the rights laid down in the Austrian State Treaty. The Slovenian President expresses his expectation that the NSKS's decision will facilitate the necessary deliberations and decisions to improve the situation of the Slovene national community living in Austrian Carinthia.

On this occasion, Dr Türk also wishes to reiterate the necessity of notification of succession of the Republic of Slovenia in respect of the Austrian State Treaty, of which the former Yugoslavia was a contracting party. The current lack of clarity creates doubt as to the determined position of Slovenia and its proposals regarding implementation of the Austrian State Treaty. The status of a successor state of international treaties does not arise automatically, but needs to be established, in the case of multilateral agreements, through notification of succession with the depositary of a multilateral agreement. The Slovenian President hopes that this act will be carried out without further delay.