Ministry to Stress Intercultural Dialogue During EU Presidency
Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti said on Tuesday that the Culture Ministry would not push its agenda during Slovenia's approaching spell as EU president, but would rather focus on carrying out the plans outlined by the EU. Its priority task will be intercultural dialogue, the minister told the press in Ljubljana.
Slovenia will have to perform tasks which are now carried out by Germany, a country of 80 million people. However, the difference between the two is not only in the personnel available but also in the allocated budget Simoniti said, but added that this would not jeopardise the implementation of the programme.
The European Commission has designated 2008 the year of intercultural dialogue. Slovenia, which will hold the rotating EU presidency in the first half of next year, will stage a large ceremony marking the year on 8 January.
Simoniti did not want to unveil the contents of the show in order to prevent a debate in advance. He labelled the ceremony a very important event that would be attended by all of the EU's political elite.
Numerous other events will take place in the year, with Simoniti stressing an international conference entitled Europe, the World and Humanism, which will host numerous acclaimed intellectuals discussing what the European humanist tradition can offer to the world.
Another priority for the ministry will be drafting a new European culture programme for the 2008-2010 period. Simoniti hopes that the draft will be prepared by Portugal, which will be presiding over the EU prior to Slovenia, while Slovenia would supplement it.
Other topics for the presidency include mobility of artists, including the culture sector into the Lisbon strategy, the TV without frontiers directive, media literacy and creative content on the internet.
The ministry will also promote Slovenian culture, ranging from high to popular culture, during the country's stint. The ministry was allocated EUR 1.365m from the budget for its activities.
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