Agriculture minister meets Carinthian Slovenian reps

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food noted that it had been cooperating well with the Slovenian agricultural organisations in Carinthia for many years.

Šinko met today Bernard Sadovnik, head of the umbrella Community of Carinthian Slovenians (SKS), Marjan Čik, a representative of the Association of South Carinthian Farmers, and Marinka Mader-Tschertou, president of the Farmer Education Association.

The cooperation between the ministry and the latter two organisations, which associate 1,300 members from 36 bilingual municipalities, was noted at the meeting.

The fact that their membership has been growing in recent years is especially gratifying, the ministry said, adding that the organisations implemented and supported projects that preserve the Slovenian language and education.

They also strengthen the economic relations and social responsibility and tolerance in society, and pay special attention to the older generation of the minority and representing the interests and rights of Slovenians in Carinthia, it also said.

The two organisations support the preservation of the existing infrastructure in rural areas, including Slovenian cultural and sports associations, and innovative projects that aim at the promotion of the Slovenian language and culture.

They look to expand the economic, political and cross-border cooperation and strengthen relations between Austria and Slovenia and, in order to preserve and expand the use of Slovenian, organise beginner and basic-level language courses.