Austrian Official Calls for Cooperation Among European Regions

Ljubljana, 13 June

In a Europe of regions it is important that the regions do not compete among themselves but cooperate, Governor General of Austria's Styria region Franz Voves said in a meeting with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.

Meeting Rupel on Tuesday in Ljubljana as part of his one-day visit to Slovenia, Voves stressed that there is enormous potential for cooperation between Slovenia and Styria.
Rupel told a press conference after the meeting that Slovenia and Styria have excellent relations. Slovenia stands ready to broaden ties, including as part of "Euroregional" cooperation, he said.
Rupel stressed that Slovenia would like to be at the heart of the planned Euroregion, surrounded by Austrian, Croatian, Italian and possibly Hungarian regions.
Styria has an interest in cooperating with Slovenia in a number of fields, including culture, business and politics, Voves explained.
Meanwhile, talks between the officials also touched on the position of the Slovenian minority in Austria and the German-speaking community in Slovenia.
Voves said he was happy that Styria does not have such problems with ensuring minority rights as the neighbouring Carinthia province. He said that Styrian authorities keep close contacts with the minority and sort out issues along the way.
The Austrian official, who met with the Gottschee Germans in Slovenia also forwarded the wishes of the German-speaking community here to Rupel.
Rupel claimed that the community was not having any major problems, as it enjoys the rights set out for minorities in the constitution.
Voves visited Slovenia at the invitation of Minister of Local Government and Regional Policy Ivan Zagar. He was also received by Parliamentary Speaker France Cukjati.

Austrian Official Calls for Cooperation Among European Regions

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