Embassy Newsletter June 24, 2010

- P r e s iden t Tue rk Addre s s e s Na t iona l Day

Ce remony

- Ce l eb r a t i ng Na t iona l Day

- Mes sag e by the Sec r e t a r y o f S t a t e

- Green So lu t ions by INEA Soon in the USA

- S loven i a Won , Cong ra t s to USA

- Ju r e Rob i č won RAAM fo r the f i f th t ime

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- L i s t t o d o / s e e :

- J o ž e ’s Vo d l a n E x h i b i t i o n

- “ B e y o n d ” b y M i c h a e l B e n s o n

In This Issue

Page 1

President Tuerk Addresses National Day Ceremony Marking the National Day, Slovenian president, Danilo Tuerk, on June 24 addressed the main state ceremony. On the eve of the Na-tional Day, which marks the day when Slovenia declared independence in 1991 presi-dent, in his speech, stressed the importance of social dialogue, which is »needed more today than ever before.” The president, who earlier in the day received the family members of those who died in the ten-day independence war, turned to Slovenia’s “birthday” by saying that Slo-venians first won their state-hood “on the battlefield”, which enabled them to quick-

ly also become “successful behind the negotiating table”. However, the lessons from the independence struggle and the development that followed are not final yet, since the democratic road to democracy never ends and also includes standstills and regression. In democracy, we honor historical merits from the past; however, we cannot and must not allow them to take over. As the president said: “We have not yet reached the end of the path.” At the very end, the President called on everyone in Slovenia to pursue “dialogue that is more responsible, serious and thoughtful”.

President Tuerk addressing the audience.

Embassy Newsletter June 24, 2010Page 2

Ambassador Kirn with Slovenian chef Jernej Podpečan.

Veleposlaništvo Republike Slovenije v Washingtonu

vsem državljankam in državljanom Slovenije

čestita ob dnevu državnosti.

Celebrating National Day On June 23, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia and Mrs. Roman Kirn, together with the Defense Attaché and Mrs. Colonel Ladislav Graber held a reception in commemoration of the proclamation of Slovenia’s independence and Armed Forces Day. In his address, Ambassador Kirn welcomed all guests and presented Slovenia’s achievements since it declared its independence on June 25, 1991. The Ambassador proudly spoke of Slovenia as a nation that has come a long way and has made a huge progress on the international stage .He emphasized the importance of Slovenian culture, which has held together the Slovenian people for centuries despite the lack of a formally defined political entity. The event was attended by some 200 people, including members of the foreign diplomatic corps, military attaches, media personalities, businessmen, and U.S. politicians. Among the important guests there was also U.S. Congressman James Oberstar who is very proud of his Slovenian roots. The congressman in a speech reminisced of the

summers he spent at his grandmum’s house in Slovenia. On the same occasion, the art exhibition »21st Century« by the American Slovene painter, Mr. Joseph Vodlan, opened in the Embassy’s gallery and welcoming lobby.

The evening continued with a buffet dinner of traditional Slovenian food and wine prepared especially for the event by Slovenian Chef Jernej Podpečan, owner of the restaurant “Elizabet Club” in Žalec, Slovenia.

Mr. Roman Kirn and his wife Jovana, Mr. Ladislav Graber and his wife Ana, with Congresman James Oberstar.

Embassy Newsletter June 24, 2010Page 3

Green Solutions by INEA Soon in the USA INEA , the leading Slovenian company in the field of automation, process control, manufacturing IT and energetics was recently selected as one of the top 20 EU companies offering Smart Grid technologies, the electric grids of the future.

In 2008, the EU adopted ambitious reduction targets for 2020. The so called “Green Package” sets such targets at 20% for renewable energy penetration, and 20% reduction of primary energy use and a 20% greenhouse gas reduction compared to levels in 1990.

In order to achieve those goals, the European Commission estimates that $45 billion will have to be invested in the development of green technologies in the next ten years. That is why INEA’s solution KIBERnet was recognized by the European Commission as one with the greates potention in this field. The system KIBERnet remotely manages electricity consumption and distributed generation across a network of industrial and commercial consumer sites. It provides improved informatization of electricity transmission and distribution network and enables its better responsiveness. It is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for effectively managing challenges arising in balancing the supply and demand in the electricity system. It creates significant financial savings for all user groups: network system operators, suppliers, and consumers. It also enables carbon-free production and consumption of electricity. Going a step further, this fall INEA will open three Smart Grids demo centers: in Atlanta, GA (USA), Ljubljana(Slovenia), and Vienna (Austria).

Power plant

Households

CHP

PV cells

Fuel cells

Warehouse Commercial center

Micro turbines

Virtualpower plant

Industry

Wind turbines

i

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, congratulated the people of Slovenia as we are celebrating our Statehood Day on June 25. As she said: “ Slovenia has achieved much in the 19 years since gaining independence. You have built a vibrant democracy and a stable economy to take your place as a fully integrated member of NATO, the European Union, and the OSCE. Slovenia’s qualification for the World Cup this year inspired both your country and

the world, and the United States was honored to compete alongside Slovenia’s fine athletes. On this occasion, we honor Slovenia as a strong competitor on the pitch and partner in the world. The United States values Slovenia’s commitment to addressing regional and global challenges through international cooperation, and we look forward to identifying new areas to work together in the future. I wish all Slovenians a happy holiday and a prosperous year.”

Message by the Secretary of State

Embassy Newsletter June 24, 2010Page 4

Slovenia Won, Congrats to USA In one of the most exciting times for the Republic of Slovenia on the international stage, Slovenia qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after defeating Russia in the qualifying round. Entering in Group C of the Cup, Slovenia was pitted against Algeria, the United States, and England in what was to be several thrilling and nail-biting matches. In the opening game, Slovenia won against Algeria and shot up to the top of Group C after the U.S. and England tied for their first game. Next up, Slovenia played the US in an exhilarating game, with Slovenia up 2-0 in the first half and almost shocking the world with an upset against the U.S. The US, however came back with a tie of 2-2 as Slovenia remained at the top of Group C.

However, in the last game, against England, Slovenia lost 0-1 allowing England and the U.S. to advance to the round of 16. Despite not making it to the second round, the Slovenian national soccer team showed great teamwork and courage. The team played three strong matches pitted

against three worthy opponents. In every match the Slovenian team was able to brilliantly demonstrate their prowess, and, although they did not qualify for the next round, the Slovenes came away from the tournaments with their heads held high. Many doubted that Slovenia would even qualify for the World Cup this year. As the Cup’s smallest nation in terms of population, Slovenia was suspected by many as unable or ill prepared to perform well in the international tournament. Slovenia showed, however, that despite its size, it is more than able to compete with soccer powerhouses such as England. Furthermore, the team’s presence in the tournament also helped introduce Slovenia and its soccer team to the world. Since the games were broadcast to millions around the world, Slovenia has increased its visibility and identity, and has become known as a force to be reckoned with in international sports. Congratulations, Slovenian

National Soccer Team, for an excellent performance in South

Africa and a job well done!

Slovenia : England match.

Slovenian national soccer team at World Cup 2010.

Embassy Newsletter June 24, 2010

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Page 5

Our To Do/ To see list: 1. Jože’s Vodlan Exhibition at the Embassy of SloveniaJože Vodlan, born in Klenovo, Slovenia in 1938, is one of Slovenia’s most prolific modern day artists. Vodlan’s work expresses strong dynamics in composition and color where his artistic development “from impressionism and expressionism, through cubism, surrealism, and abstract art confirms the truth that the aim of art is the search of the unknown.” Vodlan’s show will be on view at the Embassy through September 15, 2010.

2. “Beyond” by Michael Benson“Beyond: Visions of Our Solar System,” an exhibition of 148 brilliant color and black-and-white photographs—images from space captured by unmanned interplanetary probes by Michael Benson. “Beyond,” will be on view at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in the second floor Art Gallery through May 2, 2011.

Jure Robič won RAAM for the fifth time Jure Robič (1965) is Slovenia´s and world´s most successful extreme cyclist. In his long sports career, he has won over 100 races and stood on the winning stair over 150 times. On June 20, Robič won for the fifth time the most difficult challenge on the Earth: RAAM - Race Across America. The race starts in Oceanside, California, and ends in Annapolis, Maryland. Robič cycled the 3005.1 miles long race for nine days, one

hour and one minute, leaving the competition eleven hours behind him. Bad weather was his only real ˝competition˝, preventing him from getting the race under eight days. Jure Robič has won the RAAM in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and this year, he also holds world record in the 24 hours’ Road Riding Challenge, two wins in a row on the Le Tour Direct/Ultime and three wins in row at the Race around Slovenia.