Rupel and Plassnik Upbeat about Bilingual Signposts
Foreign Minister Dinmitrij Rupel and his Austrian counterpart Ursula Plassnik on Saturday voiced confidence about the resolution of the issue of bilingual city limits in the Austrian province of Carinthia, which is home to a Slovenian minority.
Plassnik, who was visiting the traditional cherry festival in western Slovenia at Rupel's invitation, said in reference to the issue that the "new Austrian government has set itself this task, which is also written down in its manifesto".
"I believe the issue of bilingual signposts is well on track to be resolved," Rupel said in Dobrovo, the centre of the fruit and wine growing region of Goriska brda.
According to Plassnik, Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer is busy with the issue, leading talks with different parties involved. The minister was confident that a solution would be found, something that she believes is also what people wish for.
Rupel said he placed his confidence in the Austrian government to influence "positive developments", while he said he could not "say anything definite before the matter is completed".
He said that he shared with Plassnik an attentive attitude towards problems in Carinthia, while he added that there were no particular open issues at the government level between Slovenia and Austria.
Both ministers hailed Friday's twinning between the municipality of Brda and Bleiberg in Austria. The pair was received by Brda Mayor Franc Muzic at Dobrovo Castle, when he briefed them on plans for the construction of a spa resort, in which Austrian companies are to invest too.
Rupel explained that he had invited Plassnik to the cherry festival because of the beauty of this part of Slovenia, while the Austrian minister said she and Rupel were good friends and were happy to meet outside of formal occasions.
Both ministers assured reporters that the cherries, which they picked themselves, were delicious, while Plassnik added that this "Romantic fruit" was one of the most popular in Austria.
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