Dr Valentin Inzko, President of the National Council of Slovenes in Carinthia, Manuel Jug, President of the Union of Slovenian Organisations, and Lojze Dolinar, representing the Community of Carinthian Slovenes, attended the meeting on behalf of the umbrella organisations. Ana Blatnik, member of the Carinthian Regional Assembly, attended the meeting, while the United List party was represented by Vladimir Smrtnik.

Discussions focused on topical issues related to the exercise of the rights of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia, as set out in Article 7 of the Austrian State Treaty. Special attention was devoted to providing opportunities for education in the Slovene language — from pre-school education to university — and to the public use of the Slovene language.

The participants underlined the importance of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia in relations between Slovenia and Carinthia, which is also reflected in today’s meeting of the Slovenia-Carinthia Committee. Minister Logar reiterated Slovenia’s consistent support for efforts of representatives of the Slovenian minority to achieve long-term and systemic regulation of their rights and thanked them for their dedicated work.