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Minister Matej Arčon at the 19th meeting of the Slovenian-Hungarian Joint Commission

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, as chairman of the Slovenian delegation, today co-chaired the 19th meeting of the Slovenian-Hungarian Joint Commission for Monitoring the Agreement on Guaranteeing the Special Rights of the Slovenian National Minority in the Republic of Hungary and the Hungarian National Community in the Republic of Slovenia.
Minister Matej Arčon, ministerial commissioner Ferenc Kalmárand the Slovenian and Hungarian delegation. Group photo, Hungarian, Slovenian and European flags on the side.

Minister Matej Arčon, ministerial commissioner Ferenc Kalmár and the Slovenian and Hungarian delegation. | Author Bor Slana/STA

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The Hungarian delegation was led by Ferenc Kalmár, Ministerial Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Development from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This time the session was held in Ljubljana.

Minister Arčon began by highlighting the good and friendly relations between the two countries and emphasised the aim of today's meeting, "to further strengthen our good and exemplary cooperation by supporting both minorities." Minister Arčon concluded his opening address in an encouraging light, confident that today's meeting would be "successful, operational, efficient, with an awareness of the importance of minorities and of the projects that we will continue to implement together."

In the central part of the session, which, despite the difficult coordination, was held in a constructive spirit, the Commission reviewed and assessed the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement, and agreed on and formulated new recommendations and proposals to improve the situation of the two national communities. Slovenia raised the need for adequate management of road connections in Porabje, advocated for the provision of a Slovenian nationality study programme for childcare workers, stressed the need for particular concern for and better financial support of Radio Monošter, and pressed for securing funding for a tourism and youth officer. Slovenia also called for more funds for the Slovenian self-governing community and the Union of Slovenians in Hungary, and agreed with the continuation of the economic development programmes of the Slovenian and Hungarian governments in Porabje and Pomurje.

The challenging but successful session ended with the solemn signing of the minutes. Minister Arčon thanked the Ministerial Commissioner for his working visit to Slovenia and for his constructive and friendly attitude, and both delegations for their intensive work and efforts to agree on the minutes, which will further improve the situation of the Slovenian national minority in Hungary and the Hungarian national community in Slovenia in the future.