Year 2001

16. June 2001

Photo: Leon Vidic/Salomon 2000, source: Government Communication Office

Bush and Putin meet in Slovenia

The American and Russian presidents, George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, meet for the first time at Brdo pri Kranju.

13. November 2001

photo: S. Plavevski, FA Vitrum, source: Slovenia Weekly

Slovenia's progress in the preparations for EU membership

The European Commission issues the Fourth Annual Progress Report which positively assesses Slovenia's progress in the preparations for EU membership.

14. November 2001

Slovenian national football team battles to its first World Cup

Slovenian national football team battles to its first World Cup finals in play-off against Romania.

Overview of the year

The most prominent event in Slovenia that year was a meeting of US president George W. Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Brdo pri Kranju co-hosted by Slovenian president Milan Kučan and Prime Minister Janez Drnovšek. Slovenia used the opportunity for promotion and enhanced recognition.

A public discussion on Slovenia's prospective NATO membership took place in the parliament in January in which top officials strongly favoured membership in the alliance. Slovenia took over co-presidency of the working table for democratisation and human rights of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe for six months on 16 February.

It was an important year for the Slovenian minority in Italy because the Italian parliament after years of foot-dragging passed the law protecting Slovenian minority in Italy, which Slovenian diplomats and top officials actively supported.

Sporting achievements notably included success of the national football team which after additional qualifications with Romania qualified for the World Championship in South Korea.

Text: Government Communication Office