The Foreign Minister received representatives of the Slovenian community in Hungary

Slovenia's foreign minister, Tone Kajzer, met with representatives of the Slovenian minority in Hungary ahead of his visit with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán in Ljubljana. The meeting took place in Ljubljana on Thursday and focused on the status, challenges, and development opportunities facing the Slovenian community in Hungary. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion centered around issues such as bilingual education, economic support, and future cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary. The meeting included Karol Holec, a representative of the Slovenian minority in the Hungarian parliament, István Péter Kondor, president of the Slovenian State Administration, and Andrea Kovács, president of the Association of Slovenians in Hungary. These individuals provided insight into the current situation of the Slovenian minority and discussed potential areas for improvement. A key topic during the meeting was bilingual education. In the town of Porabje, according to data from the government website, there are four bilingual kindergartens located in Gornji Senik, Štefanovci, Sakalovci, and Monoštr. Additionally, there are bilingual primary schools in Gornji Senik and Štefanovci. At the primary school in Monoštr, students have the option to study Slovenian as a subject. However, Kondor had previously informed the Slovenian Television (STA) in July that the bilingual primary schools managed by the Slovenian State Administration would be merged. Kajzer emphasized the importance of strengthening the economic foundation of the Slovenian community in Hungary. He also highlighted the need for continued collaboration between Slovenia and Hungary within the framework of the joint development fund for the ethnically mixed border area between the two countries. The ministry noted that supporting the Slovenian minority in neighboring countries remains one of the government’s priority tasks. The meeting occurred just before Kajzer’s visit with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán in Ljubljana. According to predictions, the main topics of their discussions will include cross-border economic cooperation, the Slovenian national community in Hungary, and the Hungarian community in Slovenia. Both ministers plan to meet with representatives of both minorities in Hodos. The Slovenian minority in Hungary has been a subject of ongoing dialogue between the governments of Slovenia and Hungary. Issues such as language rights, educational opportunities, and cultural preservation have consistently been points of focus. The recent meeting between Kajzer and the Slovenian minority representatives underscores the continued commitment of the Slovenian government to address these concerns. In addition to discussing the current state of affairs, the participants explored potential future developments. This includes the possibility of expanding bilingual education programs and enhancing economic ties between the two countries. The discussions also touched upon the role of the joint development fund in promoting regional stability and prosperity. The meeting highlights the significance of maintaining strong diplomatic relations and ensuring that the interests of minority communities are adequately represented. As both countries continue to engage in bilateral talks, the focus remains on fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. The upcoming meeting between Kajzer and Orbán is expected to further solidify these efforts.