Rupel: World at Crossroads, Dialogue Crucial

Ljubljana, 07 February

Dialogue between nations, religions and cultures is crucial at this time when the world is at a crossroads, Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel suggested as he opened the maiden session of the Group for Intercultural Dialogue on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event held at Jable near Ljubljana, Rupel told the body, established by the Foreign Ministry and the Centre for European Perspective, that Slovenia was working towards establishing intercultural dialogue on the global level.
Slovenia, which hopes to be aided in the efforts by the body, has put intercultural dialogue on the list of its priorities for when it holds the EU presidency in the first half of 2008, Rupel pointed out.
The Slovenian foreign minister also stressed that 2008 had been selected as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Slovenia is determined to make a contribution in this field, with its primary aim being tackling tensions between the West and Islam.
According to Rupel, Slovenian efforts will include projects that will promote dialogue between cultures.
The goal of the intercultural initiative launched by the Centre for European Perspective, an institute formed by Slovenia foremost to promote EU enlargement efforts, is to reduce political, social, cultural and religious tensions in the EU as well as between the EU and Muslim countries, Rupel said.
In his address, the programming director of the Centre for European Perspective Denis Rizman said he hoped the centre would be able to fulfill its role in promoting intercultural dialogue.
Rupel pointed out that the Group for Intercultural Dialogue, which is made up of 11 members, includes Slovenian and foreign experts.
"I admit that differences exist between us, but they need not divide us. We should rather understand them as a possibility for achieving greater mutual respect and understanding."
In his address Rupel also touched on the Balkans, saying that despite the recent wars, people in this region had lived in peace for centuries.
As regards the future of Kosovo, Rupel believes intercultural dialogue will be the key to the future of the region.

Rupel: World at Crossroads, Dialogue Crucial

More articles from this issue:

Archive