ENEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA IN TEL AVIV - Veleposlaništvo RS Tel Aviv
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eNEWSLETTER
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA IN TEL AVIV
September – October 2017
HAPPENING NOW
Port of Koper Day in Tel Aviv on 25 October 2017
The Port of Koper organized, in cooperation with the Embassy of Slovenia in Tel Aviv, a
business event for the Israeli partners on 25 October 2017 for the third consecutive
year. The event was organized within the EU project Fresh Food Corridor, coordinated
by the Port of Koper, which involves many partners from Slovenia and Israel.
Israel is already a traditional market for the Port of Koper. The cooperation between the
port and the Israeli companies started soon after the Port of Koper was established, i.e.
almost 60 years ago. Over the decades, the Port of Koper has become one of most
relevant ports for Israeli goods, bound to the EU market.
After a well-attended B2B session with the numerous Port of Koper community
members, the participants were addressed by the Ambassador of Slovenia in Israel H.E.
Ms Barbara Sušnik, the President of the Port of Koper Management Board Mr Dragomir
Matić and Mr Fabio Hrvatin, the Vice President of the Slovenian Association of Port
Logistics Providers.
Ambassador Sušnik presented
the excellent political and
economic relations between
Slovenia and Israel and she
pointed out the contribution by
the Port of Koper to that end.
She explained that the Port of
Koper, which celebrates its
60th anniversary this year, has
become a major port in the
Adriatic and the main point of
entry for landlocked Central
European markets, as it offers
the shortest sea route to the
these European markets. She
thanked Israeli partners for
being part of the successful cooperation between Slovenia and Israel, and she invited
them to further deepen connections with Slovenia, and the Port of Koper in particular.
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Mr. Matić thanked the Israeli partners for several decades of cooperation and trust and
pointed out the satisfaction that the first phase of Fresh Food Corridor project was
accomplished and it proved the competitive advantage of the railway logistic concept.
Favorable direct container services and short transit times with the Israeli ports of Haifa
and Ashdod offer a good basis to further upgrade the cooperation.
Following a short video presentation of the Port, the event turned into a friendly-
relaxed networking atmosphere.
SLOVENIA IN ISRAEL
Visit of Former President of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk
Former President of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk visited Israel on 16 October. The visit took
place in the context of his humanitarian activities. The Foundation ‘Let Them Dream’,
which Former President Dr Türk has established, includes among others a
humanitarian project of rehabilitation of children, victims of armed conflicts from Gaza.
Since 2009, when the then President of Slovenia Dr Türk launched this project, 167
children have been rehabilitated and 27 therapists trained in Slovenia.
The visit included a tour of Yitzhak Rabin Center, where he met with the Chair of the
Center, daughter of Yitzhak Rabin and former Member of the Knesset Ms. Dalia Rabin.
The former President also visited the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where he
held talks with Mr. Nadav Tamir, Director of International Policy and Government
Affairs of the Peres Center. Dr. Türk also met several representatives of Israeli and
international organizations as well as academia. The Former President Dr. Türk was
accompanied by Mrs. Mojca Seliškar Toš, President of the Management Board of the
'Let Them Dream' – Danilo Türk Foundation, and Ms. Barbara Sušnik, Ambassador of
Slovenia in Israel.
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Dr. Danilo Türk and Ms. Dalia Rabin at Yitzhak Rabin Center. Photo. VTA
Ambassador Barbara Sušnik, Dr. Türk and Ms. Mojca Seliškar Toš Dr. Danilo Türk and Mr. Nadav Tamir at Peres
at Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. Photo: VTA Center for Peace and Innovation. Photo. VTA
The Former President Dr. Türk also visited Gaza and Ramallah, where he met children
and youngsters, who were rehabilitated in Slovenia, their families and therapists, who
participated in trainings in Slovenia.
3
The First Anniversary of the Former President Shimon Peres's death
Israel commemorated the first anniversary of
the former President Shimon Peres's death on 13
September 2017.
Ambassador Barbara Sušnik attended the
memorial event held in honor of the late Ninth
President Shimon Peres at the Peres Center for
Peace and Innovation in Jaffa, on September 13,
2017, in the presence of the President of the
State of Israel Reuven Rivlin and Chemi Peres,
Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Ambassador Barbara Sušnik attended the
memorial event at The Peres Center for Peace
and Innovation. Photo: VTA
The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is advancing the legacy of Shimon Peres, as
he said: 'We must utilize innovation for economic and social prosperity, for the sake of
elevating humanity, for healing the sick and strengthening the weak for peace.'
SPORTS
Slovenia won the European basketball championship 2017!
Slovenia won its first
European basketball
championship on 17
September by defeating
Serbia 93-85 behind 35
points from Goran
Dragić. Dragić's 35
points in the title game
were the most in a
single game in
EuroBasket 2017. They
were also the most in a
EuroBasket Final
since Pau Gasol had 36
in 2003.
4
ECONOMY
Prospects remain favorable
IMAD, the government's macroeconomic
forecaster, has strongly upgraded
Slovenia's GDP growth in its
latest Autumn Forecast. This year, the
economy is projected to expand by 4.4%,
up 0.8 points from the spring forecast,
while the projection for 2018 was revised
upwards by 0.7 points to 3.9%, IMAD said
on 21 September.
Domestic demand will remain a significant factor
of growth in 2017–2019. Photo: Mostphotos
The growth continues to be driven by exports, which are projected to expand by 8.8%
this year before the pace of growth slows to just over 6% by 2019. Last year exports
expanded by 6.4%.
Private spending is projected to decline to 3.3% from 4.2% last year, with additional
deceleration planned in the subsequent two years.
Government spending, having surged by 2.5% last year, is expected to grow by 1.1% this
year and under 1% in the next two years. Source: www.vlada.si
TOURISM
This week, Slovenia made Lonely Planet’s bucket list of next year’s top travel
destinations. The renowned travel guide described Slovenia’s Julian Alps as offering
“mountain bliss in an overlooked corner of Europe”, and added them to their bucket list
of top regions to visit in 2018.
According to the guide, the Julian Alps,
which were “[o]nce suitable only for
the intrepid ... are gently opening the
door to every stripe of traveller”.
Slovenia’s Julian Alps, which made the
list of “ten regions rising up our bucket
list” in Lonely Planet’s feature section
“Best in Travel 2018”, were described
as having the “natural appeal of
Chamonix or Zermatt, but with fewer
crowds”. Source: www.vlada.si
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Sustainable Development Strategy for Slovenian Tourism 2017-2021
At its October 5 session, the
Government of the Republic of Slovenia
adopted the Sustainable Development
Strategy for Slovenian Tourism 2017-
2021.
The key objective of the strategy is to achieve a
currency inflow of EUR 3.7 – 4 billion from
tourism exports by 2021. Photo: Mostphotos
The strategy for 2017-2021 is based on past experiences and the development specifics
of Slovenian tourism, the development of competitive advantages and the promotion of
systemic solutions in this area, the effective linking of national, local, regional and
entrepreneurial interests in the area of development of tourism, the promotion of
global, national and local tourism products, where Slovenia has noticeable competitive
advantages, and on the understanding and introduction of modern management
methods and techniques in the area of strategic planning and focusing of companies’
competitive networks.
The strategy is focused on a scenario of accelerated tourism development, and is
designed to achieve the following tourism development objectives by 2021:
– a currency inflow of EUR 3.7 to 4 billion;
– 5-5.5 million tourist stays;
– 16-18 million overnights;
– average length of stay 3.1-3.4 days;
– 18,000 to 22,000 new tourist rooms, of which 8,500 renovated and
6,500 new rooms in the hotel sector;
– increasing full-time employment in the tourism sector from 8,000 to 12,000
employees.
The proposed new strategic vision for Slovenian tourism is: Slovenia is a global green
boutique destination for discriminating guests who are seeking a diverse and active
experience, peace and personal well-being.
Source: http://www.vlada.si
Slovenian Thermal Spas and Health Resorts Through Time
The secret of wellbeing was discovered long ago at Slovenia's thermal and mineral
springs. Archaeological excavations from the Roman period bear witness to the rich
history of thermal baths in Slovenia, written documents about our thermal waters date
back to 1147, and the healing qualities of our mineral water have been appreciated
throughout Europe for more than four centuries.
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Terme Čatež spa, Photo: Slovenia.info
First discovered by local people, the beneficial effects of the healing springs gave rise to
new methods of treatment, and in recent decades new health resorts have developed
at Slovenia's springs.
At the intersection of roads leading from north to south and west to east, Slovenia has
always been part of the culture of the Old Continent. In the period when Central
European health spas flourished, health centers developed in Slovenia that today
represent the foundations of our health resort tourism. At the same time, due to the
healing qualities of their natural elements, our health resorts maintain a special status
in Slovenia's health care system as well as close ties with the medical profession.
Fifteen Slovenian health Spas and tourist centres take pride in their certified status as
natural health resorts. The growing reputation of these health resorts over the last few
years has encouraged others to study Slovenia's natural assets more intensively and
thus contribute to establishing new tourist bathing centres.
The development and recognition of Slovenia's health resorts was encouraged by the
wealth of natural assets in our country. The most important are thermal waters of
various qualities and temperature (from 32°C to 73°C) and mineral waters such as the
world famous Radenska Three Hearts and Donat Mg followed by sea water and brine,
organic and inorganic peloids, and finally the Mediterranean, Pannonian, and sub-
alpine mountain micro-climates.
At Slovenia's health resorts, knowledge, experience, the natural surroundings, and the
character of the country are interwoven with the friendliness of the hosts. In this
harmonious mosaic of health and well-being, everyone finds what they truly desire and
need.
7
Terme Olimpia spa. Photo: Slovenia.info
Springs of Life and Vitality
Because the modern lifestyle has brought many previously unknown problems,
Slovenian health resorts applying natural healing measures have developed
various new methods of treatment and new programs for the prevention of diseases
that take fully into consideration modern scientific research in various fields of
medicine.
Our health resorts offer not only balneo therapy and physiotherapy services, but also
other kinds of modern therapies based on education and learning.
Far from the city noise and the ever faster pace of modern life, we can discover the
secrets of unspoiled nature and devote time to ourselves in Slovenia's health resorts
and thermal spa centres. Here, we can spend pleasant family holidays, do something
for ourselves, for our body and spirit, and improve our physical and mental condition.
This is made possible by well-equipped health and recreation centres where we can
swim, jog, stroll, exercise on various equipment and playing fields, play golf and tennis,
bowl, ride horses, ski, enjoy mountain-biking, and at the same time learn to live in a in
a more healthy way. And because an exercised and active body also enjoys exercising
the spirit, our health resorts organize social, cultural, and folklore events and provide
plenty of opportunities for excursions. Source: https://www.slovenia.info/en/things-to-
do/spas-and-health-resorts.
More Information at: SLOVENIAN SPAS ASSOCIATION
www.slovenia-terme.si
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SLOVENIA
Day of the Girl
October 11 was declared International Day of
the Girl Child by the UN General Assembly in
2011. Source: MZZ
International Day of the Girl is an international observance day aimed at raising public
awareness of the disadvantages and discrimination that girls face in various situations,
and at promoting the full realisation of their potential. This year, the special emphasis
is on the challenges faced by girls in emergency contexts, and numerous campaigns
have been launched under the slogan EmPOWER girls: before, during and after
emergencies.
According to the UNICEF data, in 2016, around 535 million children lived in countries
affected by conflicts, large-scale natural disasters, epidemics and other emergencies.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees points out that the protracted
nature of current crises means that several million girls born during the crisis might
have to spend the first years or even decades of their lives in an emergency setting and
therefore are at greater risk of violence on the basis of gender, sexual and physical
violence, child marriages, exploitation and trafficking in human beings. During conflict,
girls are also 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys, which significantly
compromises their future prospects. Furthermore, health services critical to the
wellbeing of girls, including services and information related to sexual and reproductive
health and rights, and provisions for intimate health and hygiene are often scarce in
crisis situations.
Therefore, on International Day of the Girl we call for support and assistance for girls in
emergencies, respect for their human rights and the assurance of appropriate
conditions for them to realise their full potential. Slovenia contributes to these aims by
advocating the rights and wellbeing of children and the empowerment of women in
different multinational forums, as well as by supporting humanitarian projects intended
to improve the situation of women and children. In 2017, Slovenia made a financial
contribution to the UN Population Fund for programmes promoting sexual and
reproductive health and rights in developing countries.
Source: http://www.vlada.si
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CULTURE
Lola Marsh performance at Jewish Cultural Center Ljubljana
On 21 October Lola Marsh performed at Jewish Cultural center Ljubljana.
Lola Marsh is an Israeli indie pop band from Tel Aviv. The band was formed as a duo in
2013 by Gil Landau (Guitars, Keyboards) and Yael Shoshana Cohen (Vocals), and was
quickly signed by the indie label Anova Music. The band released their first EP, You're
Mine, under Universal Records-Barclay in January 2016.
Lola Marsh. Source &photo: Wikipedia.
ENVIRONMENT
Slovenian World Bee Day initiative at UN level
Since 2014 Slovenia
has been carrying
out numerous
activities aimed at
reaching
observance of a
World Bee Day on
May 20th at UN
level. The project
which was initiated
by the Slovenian
Beekeepers'
Association has
received a
generous endowment in support, i.e. more and more countries and other non-
governmental institutions have given strong support to it.
Joint efforts made by our beekeepers and the state in the recent years have set up a
wide-spread social movement in support of protecting the bees and nature, connecting
producers and consumers on the local level and using the beekeeping know-how,
experience and tradition when facing modern-day challenges. Moreover, we continue
our common international path with the initiative to declare May 20 a World Bee Day at
UN level.
10In proposing declaring a World Bee Day, the Republic of Slovenia endeavors to make
the world public aware as much as possible of the importance of bees for humanity,
especially in terms of eradication of hunger and malnutrition and preserving the
environment and biodiversity.
On 6 July, 2017 The FAO, a UN organization specialized for food
and agriculture, gave its official support and with it the final
decision at the United Nations General Assembly until December
2017.
The project website www.worldbeeday.org.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia
UPCOMING EVENTS
Slovenian satire play "People's Democratic Circus Sakeshvili" performed in Nissan
Nativ Acting Studio in Jerusalem, 2 - 16 November
The winner of the Grum Award 2016 for the best new Slovene play, People's Democratic
Circus Sakeshvili, is set in a tiny totalitarian state in which everything is restricted and
regulated.
The play presents a series of absurdly comic situations dealing with the topic of
constant »brainwashing« which destroys one’s personality, dignity and everything else
that defines one as human.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Election of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
The first round of presidential elections was held in Slovenia on 22 October 2017. Nine
candidates ran in the elections, including the incumbent President of Slovenia Mr. Borut
Pahor. No candidate received a majority of the vote. Mr. Pahor received 47% of votes
and second placed Mr. Marjan Šarec, mayor of Kamnik, received 25%of votes, resulting
in a run-off between incumbent President Pahor and Mr. Marjan Šarec to be held on 12
November 2017.
More information at www.dvk-rs.si
Follow us on: www.facebook.com/sloveniainisrael
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