Division for International Cultural Relations

phone: + 386 1 478 2302

fax: + 386 1 478 2393

This department plays a major role in defining and coordinating Slovenia's foreign cultural policy, and cooperates at the bilateral and multilateral levels. In line with the Foreign Affairs Act and the inter-ministerial agreement the division coordinates international cooperation in the fields of education and culture, and works in close contact with Slovenia's network of diplomatic and consular missions and the relevant ministries. At the multilateral level the International Cultural Relations Division covers the most important policy priorities in this field. As part of Slovenia's presidency of the OSCE it is involved in organising cultural events and activities aimed at realising one of Slovenia's priorities for its OSCE presidency, promoting inter-cultural dialogue within on the subject of Migration/Integration. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture it monitors European cultural policy and preparations for the EU's Culture 2007 programme, and discussions on the importance of a common European foreign cultural policy, and is in charge of activities to include Slovenia in the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for dialogue between cultures, and the Asia-Europe Foundation. On the multilateral front, the division monitors the work of the Forum for Slavic Cultures, the Council of Europe, the United Nations, UNESCO, and the cultural activities of the Regional Partnership, the Stability Pact for SEE, Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Visegrad Group, and the Quadrilaterale. In line with the manifesto of the Slovenian Government and in cooperation with the relevant ministries, the division's role in bilateral relations includes taking charge of drafting agreements and signing up to international umbrella agreements on culture, education and science and the related inter-governmental protocols and implementing programmes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement with the Ministry of Culture on cooperation in international cultural policy for 2003 to 2007 to enhance their working partnership in the field.