Minister Rupel presented Slovenia's candidature for the Human Rights Council to Louse Arbour. In conversation, the Minister also presented Slovenia's preparations for the EU Presidency, as well as the priorities of our presidency, especially the future of the EU, energy security and intercultural dialogue.

 

Talks between Minister Rupel and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour (photo: MFA)

 

 

Minister Rupel invited the High Commissioner to the ministerial meeting of the Human Security Network, to be held in Slovenia in May of this year. The High Commissioner accepted the invitation and assessed the work of the network as vital in promoting the protection of human rights.

 

 

Minister Rupel met also with the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, today. In the talks, the Minister said that Slovenia devotes special attention to cooperation and the deepening of relations with Muslim countries, as this is also a very important dimension of EU foreign policy. He outlined to Mr Ihsanoglu the priorities of Slovenia's EU Presidency. Special attention was devoted to intercultural dialogue, which will be one of the key topics of the presidency, because 2008 has been designated the year of intercultural dialogue.

 

Minister Rupel and Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu (photo: MFA)

 

In this context, Minister Rupel presented to Secretary-General Ihsanoglu the work of the group for intercultural dialogue, which held its first meeting at the beginning of February on the periphery of the Conference on Intercultural Dialogue at Jable Castle. Minister Rupel told the Secretary-General that the conference was attended by leading experts in the field of intercultural dialogue, as well as religious representatives, who agreed that dialogue among members of different religions and cultures should be built by mutual learning about differences.

 

Today Minister Rupel also met Marek Belka, the Executive Secretary of UNECE (UN Economic Commission for Europe), who presented the work of the commission and its reform. Minister Rupel and Secretary Belka spoke about Slovenia's potential candidacy for chairing the UNECE; Rupel said Slovenia will consider it if it is feasible regarding all its other international obligations.