 | The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended a two-day informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group in Budapest. The meeting focused on a discussion concerning the level of macro-regional economic cooperation in the European Union, multiculturalism and the measures to be taken for the promotion of competitiveness and employment in the framework of the new Europe 2020 strategy.
In addition to the Slovenian President, the meeting was also attended by the presidents of Austria, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Poland and Portugal. As a new member of the Arraiolos Group, President Türk made an opening address to the other participants at the meeting and stressed the importance and benefits of such meetings, which constitute an important supplement to the institutional cooperation that already exists between the countries in the Group.
At the first plenary session, the leaders of the nine European countries discussed the issue entitled "Macro-regional Economic Co-operation in the European Union: From the Baltic Sea Strategy to the Danube Strategy?" and the President of the Republic of Latvia, Mr Valdis Zatlers, was the keynote speaker. In his address, President Dr Danilo Türk pointed out the importance of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, which deals with the area between the Baltic Sea and the Danube.
On the margins of the informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group, President Türk held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Italian Republic, Mr Giorgio Napolitano. The presidents of Slovenia and Italy agreed that the meetings held on the subject of the various regional initiatives were complementary to the operation of the European Union, and that they might as well constitute a bridge for cooperation with those countries which are not members of the European Union.
The interlocutors reviewed bilateral relations between their respective countries, and assessed them as being amicable and developing in a positive manner. They advocated the establishment of a European peace route from Duino to Kobarid, in memory of the former Soča front. They called for the preparation of concrete projects and supported the participation of other countries historically linked to the events that took place at the Soča Front. The two presidents also addressed the situation in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
The second plenary session entitled "Multiculturalism and the European Identity – Assimilation or Integration?" was opened by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Christian Wulff. During the discussions which followed, President Türk emphasised that the needs of immigrant communities differ from those of historically established national minorities. With regard to the former, particular importance is placed on linguistic integration and social mobility. In the latter—the historical minorities—constant efforts must be made in order to exercise the rights fully established by the law, including international treaties. The President further stressed that these efforts should never be abandoned. |