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April 24, 2009

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Newsletter

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Slovenian Minister of Finance at the CEF Reception

Dr. Franci KrižaničWashington, D.C., April 23 – Slovenian Center for Excellence in Finance (CEF), currently in Washington organizing a seminar Economic Stability and EU Convergence in Southeast Europe: Building Capacities for Policy Design and Implementation at the IMF, hosted yesterday a reception at the Embassy of Slovenia.

Slovenian Minister of Finance, Dr. Franci Križanič, who came to Washington to take part in the spring session of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, addressed the audience at the reception. He explained the future role of the IMF to fight the global downturn and the Slovenia's economic situation. The reception was also attended by the Ministers of Finance of Macedonia and Kosovo. Other guests included U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey and former ambassadors to Slovenia, H.E. Young and H.E. Robertson.

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton Thanks Minister Žbogar

Ljubljana, 20 April 2009 - The US Secretary of State, H. R. Clinton, addressed a letter to Minister Žbogar, in which she thanked the Republic of Slovenia for its endeavors to ensure the ratification of Croatia's and Albania's NATO accession protocols allowing both countries to participate as full members at the recent NATO Summit held in Strasbourg and Kehl.

In her letter, the US Secretary of State pointed out that by supporting Croatia's and Albania's NATO accession Slovenia "proved its commitment to resolving regional conflicts and its support to the Euro-Atlantic integration, which will enhance the security in the entire South-Eastern Europe". Director-General of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry Visited Washington Ambassador Andrej Benedejčič, Director-General for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, visited

Director-General of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry Visited Washington

Ambassador Andrej Benedejčič, Director-General for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, visited Washington, DC, between 20 and 22 April 2009.

He participated in a conference at the German Marshall Fund of the United States entitled “Five Years of NATO Membership: Expectations, Reality, Future” organized on the occasion of the Alliance enlargement anniversary. Together with high-ranking officials from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia, he reflected on the last five years of NATO membership and presented expectations for its future. 

During the visit, Director- General Benedejčič also held a series of bilateral meetings with the representatives of the Department of State, Department of Defense, National Security Council and the Congress, where numerous issues of common interest were discussed. 

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 

With a year 2009 being the international year of astronomy, Slovenian Embassy is organizing an evening, dedicated to space explorations and our own perceptions of universe.

We are arranging an event, where science will meet art, offering you an unieque opportunity to explore your own relationship to universe. 

With a lecture A Short Stroll Through The Universe by Slovenian scientist, Dr. Andrej Prša, Villanova University, we will learn about the scales of the Universe, examining space in powers of ten and chatting about celestial bodies that are found at those scales. The lecture will outline the most important achievements of the 21st Century astronomy, notably the advances in cosmology and exoplanet hunting. 

With a spectacular, large-scale photography exhibition Beyond by Michael Benson, exhibit of brilliant color and black and white photographs — alien and exquisite images from space captured by unmanned interplanetary probes, we will hope to show the incredible beauty of space. 

Benson is a widely published writer, photographer, and award-winning film-maker, who lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with his wife and son. 

World Cheerleading Championship 

Orlando, April 23, 24 – Orlando, FL is hosting a first World Cheerleading and Cheer Dance Championship by the International Cheerleading Union and International All Star Federation. 

Five Slovenian teams, made up of 75 cheerleaders, are participating in this event, which hosts more than 40 national teams.

Visit the official web site of the International Cheer Union for complete coverage, including videos of routines, exclusive video interviews, behind-the-scene photos and results!

EU Open House: Celebration of Europe Day 

On May 9, 2009, diplomatic representations of EU Member States in the United States will celebrate Europe Day. 

Europe Day celebrates the first move towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. It was on May 9, 1950 when the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented the Declaration for “the first concrete foundation of a European federation”.

EU representations in Washington D.C., together with the EU Commission, mark the day by organizing annually the EU Open House day, under the slogan Shortcut to Europe. 

For a few hours, Embassies of 27 countries and the EU Commission Delegation in Washington, DC, will open their doors for the third year in a row, showcasing their art, culture, food, and introducing the European Union to visitors from the area. 

The event attracts more and more people each year. In 2008, we recorded a total of over 50,000 visitors. The Embassies have prepared an extensive and interesting program, which you can view on the official EU Open House website www.europe-indc. com. For a program at Slovenian Embassy, visit our web site

The EU Open House event will take place on May 9, 2009, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Free bus shuttles to take you from one embassy to another will be provided. You can view the routes on the official website www.europe-indc.com/

See you on Saturday, May 9!