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President of the Republic of Slovenia receives the German Minister of Finance

Ljubljana, 05/03/2006  |  press release

Dr Janez Drnovšek, President of the Republic of Slovenia, today met Peer Steinbrück, Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Germany. Their discussion covered Slovenia's readiness for the introduction of the euro and the present economic situation in Germany, an important partner of Slovenia and a significant pillar of European financial and economic stability. In the discussion, Drnovšek highlighted the need for economically, socially and environmentally balanced development throughout the world. He particularly emphasized Asia, representing competition to the European and American economies, especially with its low prices and lower standards of social and environmental protection. Dr Drnovšek stressed at the same time that the EU must consolidate its position in terms of global economic competition, which includes abandoning excessively generous subsidizing of agriculture in favour of a more development-oriented use of European budgetary funds.