Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček discussed with Slovenian students and graduates of Czech language and literature and their teachers from the Department of Slovene Studies and leading Slovenian translators of Czech literature about the Czech culture and the importance of Czech language and literature and translations for the development of Czech-Slovenian cultural relations. Teaching of Czech language has a long tradition in Slovenia, since1922.

During the discussion, Minister Petříček was acquainted with the motivation of individual students to study the Czech language and literature and with the possibilities of their professional development. According to their experience, knowledge of the Czech language, culture and history can be a significant competitive advantage on the labour market not only in Slovenia.

The meeting with the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs took place in a very friendly atmosphere. Translators and representatives of Czech studies appreciated the long-term support of the Czech Embassy in Ljubljana of cultural events and of the Czech language and literature in Slovenia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the participants for their interest in Czech culture and reminded them of the cultural similarities between the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

At the meeting with Roman Kuhar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, Minister T. Petříček expressed interest in organizing joint celebrations of the 100th anniversary of teaching of Czech language in Slovenia. The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on the student exchange programs and on the functioning of the university was also discussed. Minister Petříček presented the Dean with a number of Czech books as a gift from the Czech MFA for students and those interested in Czech literature, culture and history.

Ambassador Chmiel agreed to continue with giving lectures to students of Czech studies and to other students as soon as the pandemic situation allows.

Due to restrictive measures related to the COVID-19 epidemic the meeting was attended by a very limited number of participants.