3 June 2008

Slovenska Bistrica

Government Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy, together with the Committee of the Regions, Slovenska Bistrica Municipality and both representative associations of Slovenian municipalities - the Association of municipalities of Slovenia and the Community of municipalities of Slovenia - organised a Seminar of the Committee of the Regions RELEX Commission National Minorities in the Western Balkan countries – an opportunity for trans-national cooperation of the regional and local authorities, which took place on 3 June 2008 at the Castle of Slovenska Bistrica, Grajska ulica 11.

The Seminar focused on Western Balkans which is in accordance with the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency as well as the general guidelines and programme of the Committee of the Regions RELEX Commission.

The first part of the Seminar focused on National minorities in the Western Balkans countries – political, social and cultural challenges for local and regional authorities; the second part of the Seminar focused on Different models of political participation of national minorities in the Western Balkans and in the European Union.

The Press conference which was attended by dr. Ivan Žagar minister responsible for local self-government and regional policy, Istvan Sertö-Radics president of the RELEX Commission and Irena Majcen major of the Slovenska Bistrica Municipality took place between 10 am and 10:30 am at the Castle of Slovenska Bistrica.

   The programme of the Seminar National Minorities in the Western Balkan countries – an opportunity for trans-national cooperation of the regional and local authorities