MANY YEARS OF COOPERATION WITH AUSTRIAN STYRIA

Ljubljana, 8 September 1999



As part of her visit to Slovenia today, the Landeshauptmann of Austria's Federal Land Styria, Ms Waltraud Klasnic, was received by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Milan Kucan.

In their talks, the President of the Republic rated the significance of good relations between Slovenia and the two neighbouring Austrian Länder, Styria and Carinthia. In President Kucan's opinion, the good relations that were created gradually, over many years, in the spirit of mutual trust, in the days prior to Slovenia's independence remain of vital importance for Slovenia. They also remain the basis for good relations on the national level where Slovenia is interested in an open and fruitful atmosphere of bilateral relations, where open issues are resolved to the benefit of citizens on both sides of the border.

The talks with the Austrian guest also touched upon certain topical events in Austria in the pre-election period. President Kucan expressed his concern that individual reckless pre-election steps in relation to the open bilateral issues between Slovenia and Austria might have consequences in the post-election period as well. In the President's opinion there are two limits in the pre-election period. The first is the respect of the sovereignty of a neighbouring state, the second limit is the truth. In connection with the former, President Kucan mentioned the demand for an amendment of the Slovenian constitution by broadening the constitutional status and protection also to the so-called German-speaking minority, which he assessed as interference in the sovereignty of the Slovenian state. In connection with the latter, he mentioned the Krsko nuclear power plant as an Austrian pre-election topic. He provided reassurance that the safety of the Krsko nuclear power plant is foremost in the interest of Slovenia and thus also in the common interest, expressing all his understanding for the interests of Styria and its Landeshauptmann to be informed of the events in the nuclear power plant. He also expressed his astonishment at the fact that Slovenia's nuclear power plant, employing high-end American technology, is being discriminated against in Austria's pre-election campaigns in comparison to such power plants elsewhere in western Europe. The President's main concern is that it is not facts that are being presented, untruths being used instead.

The Austrian-Slovenian culture agreement was also discussed. In President Kucan's opinion, this agreement could conclude a chapter of our common history that has passed and open up new possibilities for cooperation in the field of culture. President Kucan also believes that new opportunities for cooperation are also appearing in other areas, including the stabilisation of the situation in Southeast Europe and in defining joint tasks within the Stability Pact.