I would also like to mention tourism. Many people in Slovenia are interested in China’s rich culture and incredibly rich natural landscapes. What we are trying to do now is to attract Chinese tourists. Our present campaign focuses on attracting the Chinese to visit Slovenia as part of the Central European and Mediterranean region.

Like many other countries, Slovenia has a trade deficit with China. In your view, what are the major causes of the trade imbalance and how can it be properly addressed?

The main reason is that trade follows its own logic. Of course, there are other elements that can have impact on trade. What is important is that we discuss the issue of trade balance with our Chinese partners and the Ministry of Commerce is ready to support our efforts to make bilateral trade more balanced.

On the other hand, it is also important to define the standards, by which we do trade because the business environment in Europe and in China is different. The trade could be better balanced if our companies were attracted to do business in China with better knowledge and safety guarantees. The appropriate legal foundation is important to chase away fears that business may go wrong. Another element is respect for intellectual property rights. The majority of GDP in Slovenia comes from services where China has just opened its market. I hope that this will attract Slovenian companies.

Business people in both countries can learn more about trade opportunities if we invite them to participate in business conferences and trade fairs. Another element is simplifying the formal procedures that are sometimes still too complicated and discourage business people from doing business, especially while establishing new companies.

How are China and Slovenia working together on the international stage?

Slovenia and China are cooperating inside the UN system. China is a permanent member of the Security Council. Slovenia was a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 1998 and 1999 and during that period we had particularly close cooperation. This is certainly one of the major fields where we can continue our cooperation also in the future.

There are other topics in the international arena that we can discuss on a bilateral level. We established a regular mechanism of bilateral consultations on the level of vice foreign ministers. We appreciate Chinese knowledge about the Korean Peninsula, Iran or the Middle East, while Slovenia has good knowledge and experience about the Balkans. Here the issue of Kosovo is of particular interest of international community and the position of China as a permanent member of the Security Council is of great importance. Next year, when Slovenia takes over the presidency of the EU, the exchange of views will be even more intensive.

What role has Slovenia played in the EU since it joined the union three years ago? What are Slovenia’s expectations for the growing China-EU partnership?

After independence, Slovenia had different possible choices, but since it is a European country, it was most appropriate to seek its future orientation inside the Euro-Atlantic associations. The EU is a natural place for Slovenia to be and therefore the decision for EU membership was supported by the majority of the Slovenian people. We are now actively participating in all major discussions inside the EU. The voice of Slovenia, although part of the big family of the EU, is now better heard internationally.

We strongly support the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between China and the EU. The agreement is a logical next stage at which we can formalize our relations. Slovenia will try to contribute to it as much as possible during its EU presidency. I believe that Slovenia will benefit from it bilaterally, but also in the framework of the EU.

Slovenia joined the euro zone early this year. What implications has this move had for Slovenia and other countries in the euro zone?

The introduction of the euro in our country was a major event for different reasons. Slovenia was the first of the 12 new members to be able to introduce the euro. By entering the euro zone, it proved that its economy is solid, strong and safe. Foreign investors will be more attracted to do business in Slovenia. Some were afraid that the introduction of the euro would be an excuse for higher prices, especially for certain products or services. I have to say that inflation is not higher. Slovenia is an excellent example for other members who intend to introduce the euro in the future and our experience can be a good guiding line for them.

How will Slovenia promote EU integration and friendly relations between China and the EU during its EU presidency in the first half of 2008?

First of all, it is important that bilateral relations between China and Slovenia are excellent. This is certainly a solid foundation for further good relations between the EU and China. We have already defined our priorities for our presidency, including dialogue among cultures, further enlargement of the EU, energy and environmental policy and development aid. Slovenia will actively strive toward stronger strategic partnership between the EU and China. We highly appreciate the role of China in international efforts for peace, especially at the Korean Peninsula where China has contributed a lot to encourage the negotiation process. There are other vital issues like the Iranian nuclear program, the Middle East peace process and the issue of Darfur. It is important that the EU and China are cooperating closely in searching for balanced solutions and also discuss their relations with other countries and continents, for example with Africa.