NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor convenes session of Council for Slovenes Abroad

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today convened a session of the Council for Slovenes Abroad, at which the Council members presented the situation of Slovene communities living abroad. Prime Minister Pahor said after the session that representatives of Slovenians living abroad particularly highlighted the problems in obtaining the Slovenian citizenship. The session established that 90% of all applications for citizenship have been approved, which means, that the obstacles to resolving applications are being overcome. “This is the result of practical solutions, though, changes in legislation would also be required and, to this end, a broader consensus would be necessary," added Prime Minister Pahor.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinške/STA)

 

The Prime Minister went on to emphasise that the witnessed changes in the past year in the domestic and international scene have created a new opportunity for Slovenians around the world to unite. “Slovenia enjoys a good reputation and we should take advantage of this, also to the benefit of Slovenians living abroad," added Prime Minister Pahor. Minister for Slovenians Abroad Boštjan Žeks said that “representatives of Slovenians abroad at today’s session pointed out that the election procedure abroad was too complicated and bureaucratic and that inheritance and denationalisation were another two areas in which they face similar bureaucratic difficulties.” As regards the complicated procedure for obtaining Slovenian citizenship, Minister Žeks said that the ministers who attended the session took note of the situation and would prepare suitable solutions.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 

In addition to Prime Minister Pahor, Minister Žeks and other invitees, the session was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Žbogar, Minister of Education and Sport, Igor Lukšič, Minister of Culture, Majda Širca, President of the Commission of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia for Relations with Slovenes abroad, Miro Petek and representatives of Slovenians living abroad: Ivan Kamin and Milan Ribič from the United States of America, Stane Kranjc from Canada, Tone Mizerit and Andrej Fink from Argentina, Florjan Auser and Peter Mandelj from Australia, Janez Pucelj from Germany, Milan Breberina from Serbia, Marija Grbič from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Urška Kupec from China.