Stability Pact for Southeast Europe
The Republic of Slovenia devoted a total of 5.13 million USD of
budget and other funds to activities within the Stability Pact for
2000. It provided the same amount from the budget of the Republic of
Slovenia in 2001. Slovenia heads the Working Group for Human Rights
and Minorities (cosponsored by the Council of Europe). As leader of
the Working Group it is endeavouring to strengthen the role of
non-governmental organisations in the countries of Southeast
Europe. From the resolutions of the Portoroz Conference on interethnic
relations and minorities (March 2000) derive a series of tasks
connected with realisation of ten QSP projects adopted. The Republic
of Slovenia also cooperates in other working groups of DOM I (local
government and public services, return of refugees, media, education
and youth, equal gender opportunities). In January 2001, Slovenia took
over from Rumania the co-presidency of the group for a six-month
period. In addition to stimulating links between working groups,
Slovenia will focus on some key activities, among which will be:
- Setting up an International Centre for Interethnic Relations and Minorities in
Southeast Europe, in Ljubljana, which will start functioning in February, and
- The Maribor initiative - an initiative for including inter-religious and ecumenical
dialogue as a contribution of religious communities to democratisation, respect for
human rights and improving interethnic relations in Southeast Europe. The first event
will be a Conference: Democracy, Human Rights and Protection of Members of
Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Southeast Europe, to be held from 23 to 25
February in Bled.
Slovenia has already for a number of years provided expert
assistance to the countries of Southeast Europe in knowledge transfer,
vocational training, education, scholarships, in building institutions
and is involved in economic investments and the renovation of
structures etc.
Slovenia cooperates in activities for removing trade barriers and
assists with its projects in the development of small and medium sized
companies. In 1999, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted
a Strategy for the Involvement of Slovenia in the Economic Renewal of
Southeast Europe. In accordance with it, the Government also devoted
budget funds (for 2000 approx. 2.5 million USD) for financing economic
projects and expert assistance. Of this, more than 2 million was
devoted to BiH, and the other part to Montenegro and Macedonia.
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