I S S U E

14 MARCH 2012

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SLOVENIAN EMBASSY

SKOPJE MONTHLY e-NEWSLETTER

IX. Ministerial Conference on SEE Border Security Cooperation 1 U.S. – Adriatic Charter Conference in Skopje 2

Meeting with the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia Veljanoski 2 Meeting with the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Abdulaqim Ademi 3

Meeting with the Minister without portfolio Hadi Nezir 3 Meeting with the Minister without portfolio for Roma issues Nezdet Mustafa 3

Meeting with the new Head of the EU Delegation in Skopje Aivo Orav 4 Successful Completion of the third phase of the Underwater UXO Clearance of Lake Ohrid 4

Sava Insurance Company’s Day in Demir Kapija 5 Meeting with the Management Board of the Slovenian-Macedonian Business club 6

Working visit to the construction site of the Hydroelectric Power Station Sveta Petka 6 Working visit at the KB First Pension Company 6

KB First Pension Company – The leader in the Macedonian private pensions market 7 International Fair “Mebel 2012” 8

Round table on “European incentives for sustainable development 9 Ambassador Bergant holds a lecture at the IBU University in Skopje 9

Choir Studenec from Pivka performed an evening concert in Bitola and Skopje 10 The Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor visits Skopje and Kumanovo 10

Tourism - Planica 11

The ninth ministerial review conference on the South East Europe Border Security Cooperation was

organized by the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior, under the patronage of the Danish EU Presidency.

Slovenian Ambassador Brian Bergant, who addressed the event on behalf of Slovenian Minister of Interior

Mr. Vinko Gorenak pointed out that such gatherings had been making substantial contribution to

coordinating the activities for strengthening the region's security.

Ambassador Bergant reminded in his speech that Slovenia hosted the VIII. Annual Review Border Security

Conference in Ljubljana last year and underlined: “Important findings referred mostly to an enhanced

regional operational cooperation among the EU Member States and the Southeast European countries in

order to contribute to an enhanced common security. Above all, this proved our common awareness that

the perception of border can be twofold, and instead of separation we should really make use of the

connecting role among the nations on both sides of the border, nations possessing geographical, historical,

cultural and economic closeness. Namely, in the fight against security threats, we usually find ourselves on

the same side of that border. Neither the external borders of the EU nor the Schengen borders separate

our security that is common and inseparable”. Ambassador Bergant emphasised the Slovenia will

continue to aid the strengthening of cooperation with Southeast European partners within the Brdo

Process, aiming at common security challenges, such as organised crime, illegal migration, terrorism and

corruption, as they represent a challenge to democratic stability, economic progress and the rule of law.

“We also need to stay focused on any additional challenges which we might be facing in the future as a

side effect of the visa liberalisation process” he said.

The conference, chaired by Macedonian Minister of the Interior Ms. Gordana Jankuloska, has brought

together the Ministers from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia/Herzegovina, deputy Ministers and senior police

officials of Moldova, Romania, Albania, the Czech Republic, representatives of the European Commission,

Europol, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders

(FRONTEX), the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and representatives

from the diplomatic corps in Macedonia.

Ambassador Bergant adresses the IX. Ministerial Conference on SEE Border Security Cooperation Skopje, 15-16 March 2012

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The two-day conference wrapped up with signing of a Ministerial Declaration for SEE border security

cooperation in 2012. It also analyzed the future activities under the DCAF Border Security Programme for

2012-2015.

"The geography makes us neighbours, while the history makes us friends. The economy makes us

partners and the need for joint action against all threats has made us allies. Developing of the idea for

having safe, secure borders and of the concept for border management has united us in this alliance,

which has been existing for ten years. I point out once again that only by joint action we may be successful

as institutions and states. I hope the conference will meet its objective - mutual understanding of the

necessary processes, activities for improving the security of citizens by efficient border control," Interior

Minister Gordana Jankuloska said at the opening of the conference.

Director General at the Directorate for Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of

Slovenia Primož Šavc headed of the Slovenian delegation at the Conference of Defence Ministers of the

Adriatic charter A5 (US-Adriatic Charter), entitled "Common challenges and joint solutions" in Skopje.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia dr. Gjorge Ivanov and Defence Minister Dr. Fatmir Besimi

opened the conference and pointed out the Macedonian expectations from the NATO Summit in

Chicago. After the initial opening of the Conference, the participants of the Conference, defence ministers

and heads of delegation of the Member States of A5, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and

Herzegovina and Macedonia, as well as observers and guests from Kosovo, USA and Slovenia gave their

own contribution and exchanged opinions on the topic “Challenges and perspectives of Euro-Atlantic

integrations in the promotion of sustainable peace and development of the region”. Director General

Primož Šavc emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and reiterated Slovenia's support in the

integration of the countries from the region into the Euro-Atlantic integration. The event represented a continuation of the process between Adriatic Charter member-states and

observer-states, established as an appropriate mechanism for promotion of regional dialogue,

enhancement of defense cooperation and strengthening of national capacities towards the region's Euro-

Atlantic integration. The participants of the Conference, representatives of the signatory nations of the

Adriatic Charter and the USA, signed a joint statement where the continued dialogue and achievements of

the A5 Group were confirmed and support was expressed to all countries from the region in the direction of

continuing the implementation of defence reforms.

U.S. – Adriatic Charter Conference in Skopje Skopje, 29 March 2012

Conferences

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Meetings Ambassador Bergant meets the President of the Parliament Trajko Veljanoski Skopje, 14 March 2012

Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant held a meeting with the President of the

Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, Trajko Veljanoski. Veljanoski and

Bergant addressed the current political and security situation in Macedonia

and wider Western Balkans region, with an emphasis on the name issue and

the need for quick EU and NATO accession for Macedonia. They talked also

about the preparations for the official visit of the President Veljanoski in

Ljubljana, which is expected to be realized in June 2012, as well as the

economic and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

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Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant held a meeting with the

Minister of Environment and Physical Planning of the

Republic of Macedonia Abdulaqim Ademi. From

Macedonian side there was also present State Secretary

Sonja Lepitkova and on the Slovenian side, Director of

the Center for International Cooperation and

Development, Gašper Jež and also the Head of

Environmental Protection within the Group RIKO, Andrej

Ivanc.

The main purpose of the visit was related to a project for construction of municipal wastewater treatment

plant in Skopje Municipality Gjorče Petrov. The project is cofunded by the Slovenian development aid, the

main executants of the project are the Group RIKO and Hidroinženiring d.d. from Ljubljana.

Minister Ademi reiterated that the successful completion of a project is one of his priority tasks, since the

construction of municipal wastewater treatment plant in Volkovo is the key project in the field of

environmental protection in Macedonia.

Ambassador Bergant meets the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Abdulaqim Ademi Skopje, 1 March 2012

Ambassador Bergant meets the Minister without portfolio Hadi Nezir Skopje, 27 March 2012

The Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant and Economic

Counselor Jernej Tovšak held a meeting with the

Minister without portfolio Hadi Nezir. The main topic of

the meeting was connected with the bilateral

cooperation between Macedonia and Turkey, with

special emphasis on economic cooperation and new

Turkish investments in Macedonia. Interlocutors also

discussed the possibility for closer cooperation

between Macedonian, Slovenian and Turkish

companies in Macedonia and the possibility for

Macedonian and Slovenian companies to perform jointly on the Turkish market, using Macedonia as a

bridge for connecting Turkish and Slovenian economy and businessmen.

Ambassador Bergant recieves the Minister without portfolio for Roma issues Nezdet Mustafa Skopje, 15 March 2012

Ambassador Brian Bergant met at the Embassy with the Minister without Portfolio for Roma issues Mr. Nezdet Mustafa, who was accompanied by the representatives of the Municipality of Kočani, Head of Planning and Development Department Zoran Manasiev and Head of the Department for cross-border cooperation Sašo Stoimenov. Ambassador Bergant summarized the main accentuation from the last International Conference of the Roma, which was held on 9 and 10 March in Murska Sobota, Slovenia.

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He highlighted the importance of education, maintaining the Roma identity culture and language,

participation in decision making process, inclusion of Roma and partnership between the Roma

community, state and local community in Macedonia.

Minister Mustafa informed that on 4 April, together with the mayor of Kočani, Ratko Dimitrovski, they will

organize a Donors’ Conference in Kočani. The Conference aims to help in raising funds for building 12 new

houses for 24 Roma families with more than 150 family members. 30 percent of the funds will be provided

by the Municipality of Kočani, as well as by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. The initiators

would like to get the remaining funds with the assistance of the international community, whether in terms

of concrete financial help, projects within development aid or assistance by providing the construction

equipment. The Minister Mustafa also asked for support in purchasing suitable used equipment for Roma

TV channels, TV Šutel and TV BTR, since from July 2013 Macedonia will also pass from analog

broadcasting of television signals to digital broadcasting.

Ambassador Bergant recieves the new Head of the EU Delegation in Skopje Aivo Orav Skopje, 5 March 2012

Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant held a meeting with the

new Head of the EU Delegation in Skopje, Ambassador

Aivo Orav. Ambassador Bergant acting as a Dean of

Diplomatic Corps wished him a warm welcome in Skopje.

He informed him about the internal political situation in

the country, Slovenian positions and its support for the

progress of Macedonia on its path towards full

membership in the EU. They also discussed the current

situation in the wider Western Balkans region.

Based on the successful completion of first two phases of underwater UXO clearance of Lake Ohrid in

2010 and 2011, where more than 16 tons of dangerous UXO were removed and destroyed, the 3rd phase

of underwater UXO clearance of Lake Ohrid started on 22 February 2012 and lasted for 28 operational

days until 20 March 2012 on wider Ohrid Harbor and Peshtani area. During the third clearance phase,

8.790 m2 of lake’s bottom were successfully cleared by safely removing 2.620 UXO weighing more than

3.7 tons which were later on destroyed. Together in all three UXO clearance phases, Macedonia’s divers

have successfully cleared more than 26,4 thousand square meters of the bottom of portions of Lake Ohrid

using underwater metal detectors. In addition to that, more than 30,5 thousand square meters of lake

bottom was cleared using only visual method of detection. Altogether over 6.600 UXO weighing more than

19,7 tons were safely removed and later on destroyed.

The project has been supported by United States Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs,

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) through ITF and implemented by specialized

diving teams for underwater UXO clearance and explosive ordnance disposal specialists employed in

Republic of Macedonia Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD) and supervised by P.E.D. Sava (Slo.).

Successful Completion of the third phase of the Underwater UXO Clearance of Lake Ohrid Skopje, 22 March 2012

ITF

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In the framework of the celebration of their corporate day, Sava Insurance Skopje, part of the Sava Re

Group, donated sports equipment: basketball, handball and football balls and table tennis rackets to the

Elementary School Dimče Angelov-Gaberot in Demir Kapija. The company had previously donated three

large masts for flags in front of the school and some used office furniture for the school library. Under the

slogan "The real athlete is also conscious ecologist", the pupils from the elementary school preformed with

a rich cultural program in the Cultural Centre. In addition to promoting tourism and natural beauty of Demir

Kapija and Slovenia, recitation of poems and Macedonian folk dances, the pupils also danced the waltz

and polka under the sounds of the Avsenik Brothers Ensemble. Welcoming speeches were held by the

Mayor the Municipality of Demir Kapija Trajče Dimitrijev, principle of the school Robert Robertson and

Ambassador Brian Bergant. After the cultural event employees from Sava Insurance and Embassy played

friendly matches in football and table tennis against the teachers and pupils.

On 22 March 2012, ITF Enhancing Human Security has, in cooperation with PRD, organized closing event

for the successful completion of the third phase of the underwater UXO clearance of Lake Ohrid, at Ohrid

Harbour. U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Mr. Paul Wohlers, Slovenian Ambassador to Macedonia Brian

Bergant, Minister Hadi Nezir, representatives from UNDP, PRD, ITF, Slovenian company P.E.D. Sava

d.o.o., press and others participated at closing event. All speakers expressed their sincere gratitude to U.S.

for supporting underwater UXO clearance of Lake Ohrid, through the ITF, and exposed the importance of

clearance which contributes to the development of tourist potential of the local community at Lake Ohrid as

well as of the Republic of Macedonia. At the end of event, all guests had an opportunity to see practical

demonstration of underwater UXO detection.

Sava Insurance Company’s Day in Demir Kapija

Skopje, 21 March 2012

The ITF was established by the Government of Slovenia in March 1998 to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina

in implementing the Dayton Agreement of December 1995 by raising funds, providing services and

managing mine action projects. Since its inception, the ITF has focused its fundraising activities and

support to humanitarian mine action in SE Europe. As the European Commission acknowledged ITF as the

reference model of regional organization in mine action, ITF was asked by mine-affected countries and

donors to expand operation to other mine-affected regions and countries as well, e.g. Cyprus, the South

Caucasus, Central Asia, Latin America and Middle East. Source: ITF Enhancing Human Security

Economy

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The Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant and Economic Counselor

Jernej Tovšak held a meeting with the Executive Director and

CEO of the Slovenian-Macedonian Business Club, Iskra

Jovanović and Damir Kuder. The interlocutors focused on

reviewing of the work of the Club over the past year and

discussed the plans of the core activities for 2012, the ongoing

cooperation between the Embassy and the Club, where they

defined the events and new forms of cooperation for promoting

Slovenian economy.

Ambassador Brian Bergant visited the largest Slovenian construction site in Macedonia, the hydroelectric

power station Sveta Petka, being built by the Slovenian Company Riko in the canyon of the Treska River in

the vicinity of Skopje. The hydroelectric power plant construction project was presented by the highest

representative of the investor, the General Manager of the ELEM Company, Mr. Vlatko Čingoski, and the

Director of Riko, Mr. Janez Škrabec. The 36MW Sveta Petka Power Plant Station is being built in

cooperation with renowned foreign and domestic partners, the most important of which are Litostroj,

Korona, Iskra Impuls, IRMA, ETRA and others. All of them are providing high-tech equipment that will

ensure minimum maintenance costs, reliable operation of the system and high rate of utilisation. The

construction is characterised by a modern approach with minimised impact on the natural environment.

The construction of the Sveta Petka Power Plant Station that will be completed by the middle of this year

represents an important and significant Slovenian and Macedonian project that will most certainly pave the

way for further economic cooperation between the two countries.

Meeting with the representatives of the Management Board of the Slovenian-Macedonian Business Club Skopje, 26 March 2012

Working visit to the construction site of the Hydroelectric Power Station Sveta Petka Skopje, 7 March 2012

Ambassador Brian Bergant on a working visit at the KB First Pension Company Skopje, 30 March 2012

Ambassador Brian Bergant and economic counselor

Jernej Tovšak, as part of the regular visits to Slovenian

companies, paid a working visit at KB First Pension

Company and held a meeting with Director Janko

Trenkoski, who was accompanied by assistant director

Bojan Stojanoski and board member Philip Nikoloski.

Janko Trenkoski presented the company's work in the

past year and outlined their future plans. Ambassador

Bergant offered the embassy’s support for the

company’s work in Macedonia.

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Established in 2005, KB First Pension Company emerged

from the reforms of the pension system in the Republic of

Macedonia and its main activity is managing fully funded

pension funds.

KB First Pension Company is a partnership between Prva

Group from Slovenia (51%) and Komercijalna Banka AD

Skopje (49%), one of the leading banks in R. of Macedonia.

Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje is one of the oldest and most

successful banks in R. of Macedonia.

KB First Pension Co. operates in the mandatory and voluntary

fully funded pension insurance markets. The Company manages

2 funds with a leadership position:

KB First Open Mandatory Pension Find (2nd pillar) with more than

€150 million assets and 158.000 members

KB First Open Voluntary Pension Find (3rd pillar) with close to €1

million in assets and over 8.000 members.

In order to achieve the set goals, we have established top-class organization directed towards investment

asset management within the regulatory constraints, and application of modern processes and technology

in the acquiring, processing, filing and maintaining personal accounts data, as well as transparency in

operation, care and availability for the members.

Starting with only 3 employed in 2005, today’s team of KB First Pension Company comprises of more than

30 professionals with a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of pensions, finance and asset

management, willing to work hard for success and growth of the Funds we manage and Company’s

growth.

Presentation of Slovenian

Companies KB First Pension Company – the leader in the Macedonian

private pesnions market

Director Janko Trenkoski

Prva Group, established in 2000, via its local subsidiary Prva osebna zavarovalnica is number one in

Slovenia in terms of the number of Slovenian companies that provide supplementary pension insurance for

its employees, and number one in terms of capital. Prva expanded rapidly in South-east Europe and has

operations in Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo with around €400 mil. in assets under management.

Our main values are: integrity, teamwork, client focus,

perfection, leadership and respect for people and the

environment.

KB First Pension Co. is also active in the field of corporate

social responsibility through a longstanding partnership

with SKOPJE MARATHON. Moreover, the Company does

a regular annual clean-up day of mount Vodno.

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Slovenian companies from the wood and furniture industry, among them Stilles, Blažič and Meblo Mak

took part at the fair. Through intermediaries, the main one was Jugoexportstill, also the Group Novoles,

Alples, Almak Strumica and Lesnina Mi was presented.

Mebel fair is known for its most striking and original interior decorations that, besides home furniture, trace

the trend of modern kitchens and elegant baths, illumination, flooring and wall decorations, upholsteries,

office furniture for every taste, furniture for public facilities, furniture and accessories for gardens, as well as

the latest technical and technological achievements of reproduction materials, machines and equipment for

wood processing. This specialized exhibition and commercial fair has developed into a stock exchange of

this industrial branch and meeting point for producers and traders from Macedonia, the Balkans and

beyond.

The 38 International Fair of Furniture, Household and Social Buildings Equipment, Manufacturing Supplies

and Furniture Industry Machinery »Mebel 2012« was held in Skopje from 27 March to 1 April 2012 at

Skopje Fair. Over 400 domestic and foreign exhibitors from Macedonia, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Italy,

Croatia, Kosovo and Slovenia presented their latest products in modern and classic furniture and design.

The fair was officially opened by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of

Macedonia Anče Trifunov. Trifunov highlighted the importance of wood and furniture industry in

Macedonia. He also emphasized that the fair is gaining in importance each year and that represents the

realization of a government policy for attracting foreign investments and at the same time also the place

where direct contacts between companies are made. CEO of Skopje Fair and ERA Group Gvido Omladič

announced that this year’s furniture fair will break all the records, since the number of exhibitors increased

by twenty percents. He also said that the fair “Mebel” is one of the best and most visited exhibition events

in the region.

We announce that from 24 to 29 April 2012 the 24 International Book Fair and from 25 to 28 April 15

International Fair of Education and Career and 2 International Fair of Tourism “Skopje Travel Market 2012”

will be held at Skopje Fair.

38 International Fair of Furniture, Household and Social Buildings Equipment, Manufacturing Supplies and Furniture Industry Machinery “Mebel 2012” held in Skopje Skopje, 27 March 2012

Fairs

A round table entitled "European incentives for sustainable development", organized by the Construction

Institute ZRMK from Ljubljana took place at the Fair and Convention Centre in Skopje. The round table

was chaired by Dr. Bojan Čas, Management Consultant and Head of the Center for materials and

construction at ZRMK. Opening speech were held by Ambassador Brian Bergant, while Dr. Henrik Gjerkeš,

project manager at the Centre for Indoor Environment, Building Physics and Energy spoke on the

contribution of Cohesion Policy to achieving the EU Strategy 2020 and specific cases of European

incentives for sustainable development. The Head of development in the field of building physics at ZRMK

Miha Tomšič presented the Slovenian way towards achieving the goals of energy efficiency in the

construction sector. In his presentation, particular focus was orientated to the energy efficiency by using

modern construction materials and cohesion funds. The event was organized as part of the IX.

International Fair of Construction Buildings Materials and Construction Mechanization »Build and Construct

2012", which took place from 6 to 10 March at the Skopje Fair.

Ambassador Bergant at the round table on “European incentives for sustainable development” Skopje, 9 March 2012

Ambassador Bergant holds a lecture at the International Balkan University in Skopje Skopje, 8 March 2012

On invitation by the Chancellor of the University PhD Hüner Şencani, Ambassador Alain Brian Bergant

held a lecture at the International Balkan University in Skopje. He presented the process of Slovenia’s

integration into the EU, NATO, Euro zone and the Schengen area, the course of the accession

negotiations, Slovenian experiences from the Presidency with the Council of EU and the importance and

benefits which derive from the EU membership, especially for the youth. Further more, he talked about the

bilateral relations between Slovenia and Macedonia, with an emphasis on economic and cultural

cooperation, projects which are part of the Development and Technical cooperation and regarding to that

he expressed support for Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries, including Turkey, to become

part of the Euro-Atlantic integration as soon as possible. The lecture was also devoted to the 20th

anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Macedonia.

International Balkan University in Skopje (www.ibu.edu.mk) was founded in 2006 by Macedonian and

Turkish entrepreneurs. On the five faculties of the University (Faculty of Economics and Administration,

Faculty of Technical Sciences, Faculty of Communications, Faculty of Philology and Faculty of Arts) about

500 students of different nationalities are enrolled. More than half are foreign students coming from Turkey,

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. Courses are held in English language.

Education

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The Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor Franc Kangler, visited Skopje and had a meeting with the Mayor

of the City of Skopje Koce Trajanovski, Ambassador Brian Bergant also took part at the meeting.

Mayor Kangler presented a number of projects, from infrastructure, cultural, sports and others in Maribor,

which were co-financed by the EU funds, as well as some development plans for the future. He informed in

detail about the project Maribor - European Capital of Culture 2012 and announced that his city will host

the World Junior Chess Championship later this year, and that Maribor will be the European Youth Capital

in 2013.

On the proposal by the mayor Trajanovski, training for his employees in the projects in public procurement

and utilization of European funds was agreed. The training is expected to take place in Maribor in May. A

working visit of cultural workers form Skopje was agreed as well.

Mayor Kangler also met with the Mayor of the Municipality of Kumanovo Zoran Damjanovski, and held a

lecture at the private FON University in Skopje on the topic “Slovenia-European Union and the absorption

of the EU funds”.

Choir Studenec from Pivka performed an evening concert

ar the Concert Hall of the Faculty of Music Art in Skopje.

The concert was organized by the Slovenian center in

Skopje, in cooperation with the Faculty of Music Arts in

Skopje, Primary School Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu, High

School Orce Nikolov and Primary School Nevena

Georgieva-Dunja. The day before the Choir Studenec, held

an evening concert at the Cultural Centre in Bitola. The

concert was organized by the Slovenian Association Triglav

and the General Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in

Bitola.

Choir Studenec from Pivka performed an evening concert in Bitola and Skopje Kumanovo, 24 March 2012

Culture

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The Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor Franc Kangler visits Skopje and Kumanovo Skopje, 29 February 2012

Local Government Cooperation

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Sport

P l a n i c a

Sport and Tourism

Planica is an alpine valley in northwestern Slovenia, extending south from the border village of Rateče, not

far from another well-known ski resort, Kranjska Gora. Further south, the valley extends into

the Tamar Valley, a popular hiking destination in Triglav National Park. Planica is famous for ski jumping.

The first ski jumping hill was constructed before 1930 at the slope of Mount Ponca. In 1934, Stanko

Bloudek built a larger hill, known as the "Bloudek Giant". The first ski jump over 100 m was achieved here

in 1936 by the Austrian Sepp Bradl. At the time, this was the biggest jumping hill in the world, sometimes

called "the mother of all jumping hills." In 1969, a new K-185 hill, Letalnica Bratov Gorišek, was built

by Lado and Janez Gorišek. Between 1985, when Matti Nykänen flew 191 m, and 2011, new world records

have always been set at Planica rather than any other ski jumping hill (e.g., Kulm in Austria, Harrachov in

the Czech Republic, Oberstdorf in Germany, or Vikersundbakken in Norway). After it's 2010 rebuilding,

Vikersundbakken is the biggest hill in the world, and the current world record is set there.

Planica sport roots run deep, but the turning point for high level international jump competitions is 1934.

This was the year the first national championship and then the first international competition were recorded

into the Planica history book which grew thicker and more appreciated as the years passed by. It includes

a lot of heroes and because of the international fame of their names it tells a lot about the importance of

Planica, too. It would be hard to find a famous jumper at the highest level who has not yet tested any of the

Planica jumping hills. Many of them achieved world records, won world championship medals in ski flying

or raised large crystal globes high into the air in the valley under Mount Ponce. Each one has his own story

but all of them rank Planica among the world top ski jumping centers. After all, it was in Planica that man

first flew over 100 meters. And after decades of achieving the impossible the magical boundary of 200

meters was first reached in Planica. Everyone of significance in the world of ski jumping simply had to

demonstrate and confirm his knowledge in Planica. Initially, they participated in various international ski

competitions or weeks of ski flying, and since 1980 at the World Cup competitions. Soon Planica became

the traditional venue of the World Cup Grand Final in ski jumping and in the years 1972, 1979, 1985, 1994,

2004, and 2010, the cradle of Slovenian ski jumping hosted the World Championship in ski flying.

Upon arrival in Planica, it takes your breath away. There are ski jumps and cross country skiing or walking

trails on one side, and the beautiful nature with sharp mountain tops on the other. It is true that each of the

four seasons paints a different image of the valley. Blossoming spring, autumn play of colours, summer

softness... But winter images are something special and unique. When the surrounding snow-covered hills

are lit by the sun and the blue sky as dreamy natural scenery spreads in the background, it may for a

moment seem that time stands still. But the feeling quickly passes by when looking away from the

mountain tops to ski jumping hills or when hearing the famous Planica fanfare. Anyone who has

experienced this image does not wonder why many artists, musicians, poets, sculptors or painters found in

a special inspiration for their work in Planica. These are the moments you shouldn't keep to yourself.

Among other things the valley is a real harmony of almost untouched nature and sports.

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Embassy of the

Republic of Slovenia Vodnjanska No. 42 1000 Skopje Republic of Macedonia vsk@gov.si www.skopje.embassy.si Follow us on Facebook: Slovenian Embassy Skopje

T: (+) 389 2 310 30 41/55 F: (+) 389 2 317 66 31

Skopje, March 2012

The monthly e-newsletter Bridges is produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Skopje and is available on http://skopje.veleposlanistvo.si. You are most welcome to send us your comments or request for a subscription on: vsk@gov.si. Editor: Mario Stanković Co-Editor: Andreja Iljaž

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Slovenia was among the first countries that recognised Macedonia under its constitutional name and the first county that established diplomatic relations with Macedonia on 17 March 1992 in Skopje, followed by Croatia on 30 March 1992. Slovenian Holidays in April: 9 April – Easter Monday 27 April – Day of Uprising against Occupation Embassy will be closed in April only on: 16 April – Orthodox Easter Monday International Days in April: 2 April – World Autism Awareness Day 4 April – International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 7 April – World Health Day 23 April – World Book Copyright Day Macedonia: 28 April – Let's do it Macedonia (Clean Up the Country in One Day, pilot project in five municipalities, all Country project on 6 october 2012) - Ајде Македонија

April Events Announcements: 5 April – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia and the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia will jointly mark the XX Anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Macedonia and Croatia and Macedonia. The event will take place at the Dom na ARM at 12.00 hrs.