U.S. English Foundation Research

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1 This dcument was created frm: (accessed 03/12/2012) U.S. English Fundatin Research SLOVENIA Legislatin Act Regulating the Relatins Between the Republic f Slvenia and Slvenes Abrad Un-fficial translatin in English I. Intrductry Prvisins Article 1 1. This Act regulates the affairs f the Republic f Slvenia with Slvenes living utside its brders, and appints jurisdictins f the state agencies f the Republic f Slvenia in this field. 2. The Act regulates the status f Slvenes withut Slvene citizenship and repatriatin. Article 2 1. Slvene men and wmen (hereinafter: Slvenes) utside the Republic f Slvenia are: Slvenes abrad (Slvene emigrants); these are the persns belnging t the autchthnus natinal minrity in neighbring States; Slvenes in ther cuntries; these are emigrants residing in neighbring cuntries utside the territry recgnized as territries in neighbring cuntries inhabited by Slvenes and ther Eurpean States and in cuntries utside the Eurpean territry f the Member States. 2. Slvene territries in neighbring cuntries are thse frntier znes f all fur neighbring cuntries, where autchthnus Slvene ppulatin resides. Article 3 The Act refers t Slvenes abrad wh have: the citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia; the status f a Slvene withut the citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia; n citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia and n status. Article 4 1. The Republic f Slvenia respects the principle f the Framewrk Cnventin fr the Prtectin f Natinal Minrities and the Eurpean Charter fr Reginal and Minrity Languages, stating that natinal minrities in the Eurpean Unin are an integral part f the c-peratin amng the Member States. 2. The Republic f Slvenia supprts crss-brder c-peratin amng lcal and reginal gvernments, wherein the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity plays an integral part.

2 II. Fundamental principles Article 5 1. Slvenes abrad are an equal part f the unified Slvene natin. 2. The Republic f Slvenia is the mther cuntry f all Slvenes utside its brders and the state prtectr f the autchthnus natinal minrities in neighbring States. Article 6 1. The territries f the neighbring Member States, where the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity resides, and the Republic f Slvenia, frm a cmmn Slvene cultural space. 2. Endeavring t preserve and strengthen Slvenian-hd in the cmmn Slvene cultural space, is ne f the main undertakings f the Republic f Slvenia. Article 7 The cncern fr Slvenes abrad is an undeviating, essential part f the freign affairs plicies f the Republic f Slvenia. Article 8 The Republic f Slvenia mnitrs and actively prmtes the implementatin f all bilateral and multilateral internatinal treaties that als affect the interests and rights f the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity in neighbring cuntries. Article 9 The Republic f Slvenia is cncerned with the maintenance and develpment f the Slvene language and culture, the preservatin f the cultural heritage and natinal identity amng Slvenes abrad. Article 10 The Republic f Slvenia facilitates and prmtes the integratin f Slvenes abrad int the scial and plitical life f the mther natin. Article The Republic f Slvenia supprts the integrity, subjectivity and autnmy f the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity in neighbring States and respects the rganised structures f the unified representatives f each minrity. 2. In relatins with the autchthnus Slvene natinal cmmunity in the neighbring cuntries, the Republic f Slvenia acts in accrdance with the principles f statesmanlike cnduct, demcracy and partnership. Article 12 The Republic f Slvenia builds a relatinship with Slvenes utside its brders n the grunds f a lng-term strategy, which is enacted thrugh: institutinal binding n the level f state bdies and institutins;

3 the develpment f sustainable strategies fr the cmprehensive strengthening f Slvene cmmunities abrad; financial help. III. Prmters Article 13 The main prmters f c-peratin between the Republic f Slvenia and the Slvenes abrad and arund the wrld are: Office fr Slvenes Abrad at the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia Cmmissin fr Relatins with Slvenes in Neighbring and ther Cuntries at the Natinal Assembly f the Republic f Slvenia Page 4606 / nr. 43 / Uradni list Republike Slvenije (Official Jurnal f the Republic f Slvenia) Article The Office fr Slvenes Abrad (hereinafter: Office) is a central agency f state administratin, the dmain f which is the relatins between the Republic f Slvenia and the autchthnus Slvene natinal cmmunity in neighbring States, and between the Republic f Slvenia and Slvenes in ther cunties. It is chaired by the minister withut prtfli. 2. The Office indirectly participates in the infrmatin netwrk f the Ministry f Freign Affairs. 3. The Office can, thrugh the Ministry f Freign Affairs, give suggestins t diplmatic representative bdies and cnsulates f the Republic f Slvenia (hereinafter embassies f the Republic f Slvenia) in its dmain. Article 15 The Office is qualified fr perfrming activities related t: Slvenes abrad; their cultural, educatinal, ecnmic, plitical and ther c-peratin with the mther cuntry f the Republic f Slvenia; infrming in the area f legal prtectin; infrming, advising and helping Slvene subjects and rganizatins abrad; mnitring and c-crdinating the activities f ministries in the field f c-peratin with Slvenes abrad; plicy-making and implementatin f state plicies cncerning Slvenes abrad; planning and implementatin f financial supprt by the Republic f Slvenia fr Slvenes abrad planning financial supprt fr civil sciety rganizatins in Slvenia t c-perate with Slvenes abrad and perfrming financial supervisin in these rganizatins. Article The Cmmissin fr Relatins with Slvenes in Neighbring and ther Cuntries (hereinafter: Cmmissin) is a wrking bdy f the Natinal Assembly f the Republic f Slvenia. 2. The Cmmissin is qualified fr perfrming activities related t:

4 mnitring the cnditins f Slvenes abrad; c-peratin f the civil sciety rganizatins with Slvenes abrad; taking part in plicy-making f the Republic f Slvenia in matters that affect Slvenes abrad; apprpriate incrpratin f the issues f Slvenes abrad int laws, where fit; advcating fr the interests f Slvenes abrad while taking part in plicymaking and planning the natinal budget f the Republic f Slvenia; taking part and prpsing prgrammes f natinal interest in the matters f cncern fr Slvenes abrad; frming psitins twards specific issues frm this field; infrming the Natinal Assembly f the Republic f Slvenia n general and specific prblems faced by Slvenes abrad; willingness t eliminate prblems faced by Slvenes abrad and cnsideratin fr their prpsals and pinins; mnitring the implementatin f the plicies in the case f Slvenes abrad by the executive gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. The Office fr Slvenes Abrad and The Cmmissin fr Relatins with Slvenes in Neighbring and Other Cuntries mutually infrm each ther f their activities and f the c-peratin between the Republic f Slvenia and Slvenes abrad. Article 17 Thrugh its relatins with Slvenes in the crss-brder area and arund the wrld, the Office and Parliamentary Cmmissin f the Republic f Slvenia is infrmed f all f the activities carried ut in the area f cllabratin between the Republic f Slvenia and the Slvenes in the crssbrder area and rund the wrld. Article The ministries, within the scpe f their cmpetence, make cntact and fster cperatin with rganizatins f Slvenes utside Slvenia. 2. The activities f the ministries frm the previus paragraph are crdinated by the Office. 3. The ministries and ther state bdies have a duty t cnstantly infrm the Office f their activities in the field f c-peratin with the Slvenes abrad. 4. The rle f the cmpetent ministries as the prmters f c-peratin is defined in specific chapters f this Act, statutes and executive regulatins. Article 19 In the scpe f their cmpetences and pssibilities, als ther state bdies f the Republic f Slvenia, lcal cmmunities, public institutins, religius cmmunities and civil sciety rganizatins, make cntacts and fster c-peratin with the rganizatins f Slvenes abrad. Article Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries is a permanent deliberative bdy f the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. It cnsists f representatives f state agencies, institutins, plitical rganizatins and civil sciety rganizatins f the Republic f Slvenia and f Slvenes in neighbring cuntries. 2. The Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries is in sessin at least tw times per annum.

5 3. The members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries are appinted by the prime minister f the Republic f Slvenia, wh als calls and pens the sessins f the Cuncil. Administrative-technical tasks f the Cuncil are perfrmed by the Office. 4. The functining f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries and its perating structure, which pertains t the members f the Cuncil frm the Republic f Slvenia, is determined by standing rders that are adpted by the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. 5. The appintment f members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries, representatives f Slvenes in the neighbring cuntries is prpsed t the prime minister f the gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia by representative rganizatins f the autchthnus Slvene natinal cmmunities in neighbring cuntries. 6. As members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries the prime minister f the Republic f Slvenia appints fur representatives f the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity f the Autchthnus territry f Friuli Venezia Giulia (the Republic f Italy) and Carinthia (the Republic f Austria), and tw representatives f the autchthnus Slvene natinal minrity f Styria (the Republic f Austria) and Vas cunty (the Republic f Hungary). As members f the Cuncil, the prime minister f the Republic f Slvenia als appints tw representatives f the autchthnus Slvene natinal cmmunity in Cratia, inhabiting the territry f the seven cunties f the Republic f Cratia, brdering n Slvenia, and the territry f the city f Zagreb. Article 21 The Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighbring Cuntries: plans and prpses t the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia the adptin f a lng-term strategy fr the develpment f relatins with Slvenes in neighbring cuntries; gives advice t the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia and its ministries in the scpe f its cmpetence, related t the activities and state f affairs f Slvenes in neighbring cuntries; c-perates in the making f ther strategic dcuments and develpment prgrammes; frms psitins n events related t activities and state f affairs f Slvenes in neighbring cuntries. Article The Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad is a permanent deliberative bdy f the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. It cnsists f representatives f state rgans, institutins, plitical rganizatins and civil sciety rganizatins f the Republic f Slvenia and f Slvenes abrad. 2. The Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad is in sessin nrmally nce a year. 3. The members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad are appinted by the prime minister f the Republic f Slvenia, wh als calls and chairs the sessins f the Cuncil. Administrative-technical tasks f the Cuncil are perfrmed by the Office. 4. The functining f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighburing Cuntries and its perating structure, which pertains t the members f the Cuncil frm the Republic

6 f Slvenia, is determined by standing rders that are adpted by the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. 5. The appintment f the members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad, representatives f Slvenes abrad is prpsed t the prime minister f the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia by rganisatins f Slvenes abrad. 6. The prime minister f the Republic f Slvenia appints the members f the Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad: fur representatives f Slvenes living in Eurpean states, including tw representatives f Slvene migrants, living in the states f the frmer Yugslavia; three representatives f Slvenes living in Suth America, including tw representatives f Slvenes living in Argentina; representatives f Slvenes living in Nrth America: tw representatives f Slvenes living in the United States f America, and ne representative f Slvenes, living in Canada; tw representatives f Slvenes living in Australia; ne representative f Slvenes living in the cuntries f ther cntinents. Article 23 The Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad c-perates in plicy-making and in implementing the plicies and strategies f the Republic f Slvenia in the field f the care fr Slvenes abrad. IV. Basic Fields f C-peratin f the Republic f Slvenia with Slvenes Outside Its Brders A. C-peratin in the Field f Culture Article In the framewrk f its regular prgrammes, the Office als fsters cultural cperatin with Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia, preservatin f the cmmn cultural heritage and mutual exchange f achievements in this field. 2. The Office btains expert pinins frm the Ministry f Culture when preparing calls fr applicatin in the field f culture and when making decisins n financing. Article The Ministry f Freign Affairs cncludes framewrk bilateral agreements n cperatin in culture, educatin and science and fllwing implementatin prgrammes. 2. While cncluding bilateral agreements and prgrammes, the interests f Slvenes in cntracting cuntries are als taken int accunt. Article 26 The Archives f the Republic f Slvenia keep cllective recrds f materials in the neighburing cuntries and in ther cuntries related t Slvenia and Slvenes. Article 27 The public Archives in the Republic f Slvenia keep recrds, create registers and ther aids n archives in the neighburing cuntries and in ther cuntries related t Slvenia and Slvenes.

7 Article The Republic f Slvenia prmtes the creatin f public r private centers (archive, infrmatinal, cultural, ecnmic) in thse cuntries, where a larger number f Slvenes reside. 2. In accrdance with the legislature in each cuntry, a Slvene center cllects and cnserves the riginal private archival materials, riginating in this cuntry and relating t Slvenia and Slvenes. 3. Thse respnsible fr wrking with archive materials in these centers must adhere t the prfessinal principles f the archive cnduct and be apprpriately trained t take these psts. 4. Prfessinal training and cnsultatins, as well as prfessinal supervisin are perfrmed by the Archives f the Republic f Slvenia r ther public archives in the Republic f Slvenia. Article 29 The public archives f the Republic f Slvenia and thers, may keep recrds in cuntries where Slvene centers have nt been established, f the riginal archive materials related t Slvenia and Slvenes in these cuntries, cllect reprductins f these materials and nly as an exceptin als cllect the riginal materials, accrding t the legislature f these cuntries. Article The public institutin f Radi-Televisin Slvenia (RTV) has, within the framewrk f its tasks regulated by departmental legislature, a duty t prvide prper infrmatin f Slvenes in neighburing cuntries and infrm the public in the Republic f Slvenia n issues cncerning Slvenes in neighburing cuntries and in ther cuntries. 2. All Slvenes living utside the Republic f Slvenia, shwing interest and living in the range f satellite transmissin r in the range f the bradcasts f RTV Slvenia, have t be prvided with access t the bradcasting f prgrammes by RTV Slvenia withut any kind f fees, cmpensatin r ther frms f payment. Article The Republic f Slvenia supprts the infrmatin thrugh the printed media by granting apprpriate financial supprt that facilitates publishing, t the printed media, which are f natinal imprtance fr infrming Slvenes abrad. 2. The media liable fr financial supprt are thse that hld the status f a printed media f natinal imprtance fr infrming Slvenes abrad. 3. The criteria fr acquiring the status f a printed media f a natinal imprtance, are: the cncept f the cntent; the main activity f the publisher being t infrm Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia; the duratin in which this printed media has been published; ther criteria, defined by laws and executive regulatins. 4. The acquisitin and deprivatin f the status f a printed media f natinal imprtance fr the infrming f Slvenes abrad lies in the pwer f the Office, fulfilling the criteria in the third paragraph f this Article.

8 B. Preserving Slvenes Language and Educatin Article The Republic f Slvenia prvides Slvenes abrad with the pssibility f preserving and learning the Slvene language. Fr this reasn: 1. in Eurpean Member States where a Slvene minrity is living, extracurricular talks n the Slvene language and culture are rganised fr children, yung peple and adults, and schlarships can be btained fr attending the lectures in schls fr Slvene language in Slvenia, which ffer Slvenelanguage learning; 2. where the extra-curriculum lectures can nt be carried ut in public educatinal institutins, financial help is prvided fr renting learning facilities; 3. in teaching Slvene language fr children, yung peple and adults, in the rest f the wrld cuntries, help is given: by the prfessinal training f teachers in Slvenia and abrad; by sending text-bks and ther teaching material; by the partial cverage f csts related t the teaching prcess; by granting schlarships fr attending thse Slvene-language schls in Slvenia, which ffer the Slvene language t Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia; 4. an additinal prfessinal and language training f teachers and childcare wrkers, wh wrk in Slvene r bilingual educatinal institutins in neighburing cuntries, is prvided and schlarships are granted fr children, yung peple and adults frm neighburing cuntries, fr attending Slvenelanguage schls in Slvenia that ffer the learning f Slvene language t Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia; 5. prfessinal educatinal excursins fr schl-children and students are rganised; 6. schls in neighburing cuntries are invlved in schl-cmpetitins and ther activities in Slvenia; 7. the develpment is supprted f distance-learning f Slvene language with the use f mdern infrmatin and cmmunicatin technlgies. 2. The Ministry f Educatin and Sprt and The Ministry f Higher Educatin, Science and Technlgy are respnsible fr accmplishing the missins in the previus paragraph f this Article. The Office is als respnsible fr accmplishing the tasks in the third and furth indent f the previus paragraph f this Article. Activity-hlders are public and private educatin institutins f regular educatin prgrammes. Article 33 The Ministry f Educatin and Sprt mnitrs the state f affairs and thrugh parents, teachers and embassies f the Republic f Slvenia and encurages yunger generatins t learn and preserve the Slvene language. C. Science and Higher Educatin Article Slvenes with a permanent residence utside the Republic f Slvenia, hlding the citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia, Slvenes with a permanent residence utside

9 the Republic f Slvenia, having the status f a Slvene withut a Slvenian citizenship and Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia withut citizenship r status, can enrll n educatinal prgrammes f public higher educatin institutins in the Republic f Slvenia under mre favrable cnditins, in the manner prescribed by the law and regulated by the higher educatin system. 2. Prvisin frm the first paragraph f this Article regulates als granting schlarships t Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia. 3. The mre detailed cnditins and the prcedure fr granting schlarships in the secnd paragraph f this Article are determined by the minister f higher educatin. Article 35 The Republic f Slvenia rganizatinally and financially supprts: linking and c-peratin amng Slvenes abrad and subjects in Slvenia in the field f science and new-technlgy develpment; invlving Slvene scientists and experts, yung researchers and lecturers wrking abrad in scientific-research prgrammes, cnducted by institutins f the Republic f Slvenia; internatinal cnventins that initiate cntacts and prjects f c-peratin with Slvene scientists abrad; establishment and functining f lectureships f Slvene language at universities in areas, where larger cmmunities f Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia are reside. Article 36 Research institutes f the Republic f Slvenia pay special attentin t researching the frmer and present scial reality f Slvene cmmunities abrad. Article 37 The Ministry f Higher Educatin, Science and Technlgy is cmpetent fr executing key missins in the field f scientific-research and educatinal c-peratin with Slvene scientists abrad. D. Sprts Article In the framewrk f departmental legislature, the Republic f Slvenia ensures the cnditins fr maintaining cnnectins with Slvenes abrad in the field f sprts and encurages direct c-peratin between Slvene sprts rganizatins and Slvene sprts rganizatins abrad. 2. The calls f the sprts ministry, and ther nn-gvernmental rganizatins, are pen t multiple sprts-rganizatins, Slvene sprts-assciatins and individuals frm the neighbring cuntries and ther cuntries. 3. Slvenes in neighbring cuntries and in ther cuntries have equal rights as Slvenian citizens in the issues in the first and secnd paragraph f this Article. Article C-peratin with Slvenes in the neighburing cuntries is managed thrugh:

10 rganizing jint sprts events; rganizing seminars fr expert and managing persns; help with rganizing majr sprt events; prviding sprts rganizatins in the neighburing cuntries with caches t help the members f all ages and all kinds f sprts activities. 2. Besides direct c-peratin amng sprts rganizatins, the cntacts with Slvenes abrad, als take place in the frm f exchange f infrmatin, expert materials and literature in the field f sprts, and by rganizing jint sprts events. Article 40 The Ministry f Educatin and Sprt is cmpetent fr executing key missins in c-peratin with sprts rganizatins f Slvenes abrad. E. Ecnmic and Reginal C-peratin Article 41 One f the pririties f the Republic f Slvenia in internatinal ecnmic and reginal cperatin is t intensity its c-peratin with ecnmic, agrnmic and ther rganised structures f Slvenes abrad. Article The structuring and implementing the ecnmic and reginal c-peratin plitics with Slvenes abrad is based n the fllwing mutually aligned dcuments: Strategy fr Ecnmic Develpment f Slvenia, Strategy fr Reginal Develpment f Slvenia, Natinal Develpment Prgramme, Prgramme Dcuments fr EU, Prgramme f Measures t enhance Cmpetitiveness and Entrepreneurs, Strategy f the Wrk-Market and Emplyment, Strategy f the Republic f Slvenia in Infrmatin Sciety and Reginal Develpment Prgrammes. 2. Valid dcuments f develpment planning in the previus paragraph f this Article are t be crdinated with the prvisins f this Act. Article Ministry f the Ecnmy and the agency, cmpetent fr reginal develpment, define the baseline, bjectives and the purpse, instruments and the means f financing the actins fr encuraging ecnmic and reginal c-peratin with Slvenes abrad. 2. The agency cmpetent fr reginal develpment, manages the infrmatin, invlvement and cnsideratin f interests f Slvenes in neighburing cuntries, while executing tasks cnnected with the frmatin f Eur-regins, and ther crssbrder reginal develpment. Article Fr the field f ecnmic c-peratin with Slvenes abrad, the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia has a special deliberative bdy, called the Business Develpment Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad (hereinafter: Develpment Cuncil). 2. Develpment Cuncil perfrms the fllwing activities: adpts guidelines and recmmendatins fr ecnmic c-peratin with Slvenes abrad;

11 prmtes ecnmic c-peratin with Slvenes abrad; cnsiders petitins and evaluates prpsals f the dcuments under Article 42 f this Act frm the viewpint f ecnmic c-peratin with Slvenes abrad. 3. The structure, rganizatin and functining methds f the Develpment Cuncil are determined by the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. V. Granting Financial Supprt Article The Republic f Slvenia helps t maintain the structures and activities f Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia with financial supprt. 2. Civil sciety rganizatins, which perate in the field f assciatin with and interest fr Slvenes abrad, can als receive financial supprt. Article A majr part f the financial supprt fr Slvenes abrad is guaranteed thrugh tw special items in the regular yearly budget f the Republic f Slvenia. 2. Items in the previus paragraph f this Article are drawn n budgets f The Office fr Slvenes Abrad in the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia. Article 47 The means distributin prcedure is defined by the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia with a decree. Article In distributing the means analyses, estimates, strategies and interests f the Republic f Slvenia, the needs, interests, estimates and prpsitins f Slvenes abrad are taken int cnsideratin. 2. The analyses, estimates, interests and needs frm the previus paragraph f this Article are related t the eligibility f specific applicants fr financial supprt by the Republic f Slvenia. Article The rle f the Cuncil fr Slvenes in Neighburing Cuntries in prviding the autchthnus Slvene minrity in neighburing cuntries with financial supprt is defined by the regulatin under Article 47 f this Act. 2. The rle f the Cuncil fr Slvenes Abrad in prviding the Slvene emigrants with financial supprt is defined with the regulatin under Article 47 f this Act. Article 50 All Slvenes in neighburing cuntries and in ther cuntries, immigrants, exiles and their descendants, as well as their rganizatins, have the pssibility f btaining financial supprt frm the Republic f Slvenia.

12 Article 51 Financial supprt f the Republic f Slvenia can be awarded t applicants wh fulfill the fllwing cnditins: the applicant is by a single act r cntinuus activity striving fr the material, scial, plitical, cultural r spiritual well-being f the persns belnging t the minrity f the Slvene natin utside the Republic f Slvenia, namely t preserve and strengthen their Slvene identity; the applicant has a psitive attitude twards c-peratin with the mther cuntry, the Republic f Slvenia; respects the prcedures and duties in relatin t spending the budget means f the Republic f Slvenia. Article On the grunds f the regulatin under Article 47 f this Act, the Office assesses and decides whether the applicant meets the requirements fr receiving financial supprt frm the Republic f Slvenia. 2. The decisins issuing frm the first paragraph f this Article are valid slely fr the current budget-year. Article 53 The amunt f the financial supprt f the Republic f Slvenia depends n the fllwing criteria: testified rle f the applicant and the applicant?s significance in the Slvene cmmunity; the range and quality f the applicant?s activities; the dimensins and diversificatin f the structure; the plan f activities; the actual csts and needs; the urgency f affairs; the symblic value f a single act, permanent activity r material testimny; the amunt f financial supprt btained by the applicant frm ther surces. Article The beneficiary is bliged t use the financial means as prpsed, legally and accrding t the financial plan presented in the applicatin fr financial supprt and accrding t the regulatins f this Act. 2. The beneficiaries are bliged t present exact financial reprts and prf f the use f financial means t the Office in writing, accrding t the regulatins under Article 47 f this Act. Article 55 The head f the Office is respnsible fr the legal and efficient implementatin f financial supprt.

13 Article 56 The Office must mnitr the effective expenditure and cllect data n cntributins t structures and activities f Slvenes abrad by ther state agencies f the Republic f Slvenia. Article 57 All state agencies f the Republic f Slvenia that in the previus year have granted a share f their budget als t the structures and activities f Slvenes abrad, r prjects assciated with Slvenes abrad, are bliged t disclse exact data n these expenses t the Office, n later than in April f the current year. VI. Status f a Slvene Withut the Citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia Article 58 The Republic f Slvenia is the mther cuntry f all Slvenes, therefre als the Slvenes withut Slvenian citizenship are entitled t a special status in their territry, which guarantees special rights and advantages. Article 59 Status f a Slvene withut a citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia (hereinafter: status f a Slvene withut the Slvene citizenship) can be acquired by thse individuals, wh: are f Slvene descent (Slvene rigin); are active in rganisatins f Slvenes utside the Republic f Slvenia r are actively cnnected with the Republic f Slvenia; are nt affiliated with scieties, plitical parties and ther rganisatins that ppse the internatinally recgnised, cnstitutinal and legal rights f Slvenes in neighburing cuntries, r wrk actively against the cnstitutinal dispsitin f the Republic f Slvenia; are nt deprived f the citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia accrding t the prvisins f the law that regulates the citizenship f the Republic f Slvenia. Article 60 Slvene descent (Slvene rigin) is demnstrated with a cpy f the birth certificate and ther crrespnding evidence. Article 61 It is nt necessary fr the ancestry f a persn seeking the status f a Slvene withut the Slvene citizenship t riginate frm the current territry f the Republic f Slvenia. The ancestry f the persn seeking the status, can als riginate frm territries inhabited by Slvenes in neighburing cuntries r Slvene migrants. Article 62 Minrs are als entitled t the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship.

14 Article The applicant submits a claim fr the recgnitin f the status at the embassy f the Republic f Slvenia r at the Office. 2. The applicant must attach the fllwing t the applicatin: written prf f Slvene descent (Slvene rigin); prf f membership and activities in Slvene rganizatins, r Article 64 written prf f being cnnected with the Republic f Slvenia; a statement f nt being affiliated with scieties, plitical parties and ther rganizatins that ppse the internatinally recgnized, cnstitutinal and legal rights f Slvenes in neighburing cuntries, r wrk actively against the cnstitutinal dispsitin f the Republic f Slvenia. On the first level, the decisin upn the acquisitin f the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship is reached by the Office. Article The Office issues a Decisin n the acquisitin r deprivatin f the status in accrdance with the prvisins f the law that regulates the general administrative prcedures. 2. An appeal is allwed against the Decisin f the Office, in accrdance with the law that regulates the general administrative prcedures, in case this Act fails t prescribe different regulatins. 3. The appeal panel, functining as a senate f three members, prcesses the appeal against the Decisin f the Office. 4. An administrative dispute is allwed against the final decisin f the appeal panel. The affair is precedent and urgent. Article Any persn with the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship has the fllwing vested rights in the Republic f Slvenia: a right t advantageus enrlment cnditins, determined by the statutes f the institutins f higher educatin; a right t equal entering f tenders and calls fr scientific prjects, funded with public means, either as a prmter f the prject r a partner in a prject; access t all public cultural gds, under cnditins equal t thse valid fr Slvene citizens; access t all public library services, under cnditins equal t thse valid fr Slvene citizens; a right t d research in public archives f the Republic f Slvenia; a pssibility t be awarded the status f a regular member f SAZU (Slvene Academy f Science and Arts); a right t be awarded all awards and rders f the Republic f Slvenia; a right f wnership f immvable prperty under cnditins equal t thse valid fr Slvene citizens;

15 advantage in applying t a jb pening? if fulfilling all the cnditins fr taking the jb? ahead all ther freigners; freigners being persns, wh are nt citizens f the Eurpean Member States. Article The right f persns with the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship in the ninth pint f the previus paragraph must be respected by all emplyers in the Republic f Slvenia. Other rights, advantages and facilities, accessible t persns with the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship, which are nt listed in this Act, are regulated by departmental laws. Article 68 The rights listed in this Act can be emplyed exclusively in the Slvene language. Article 69 The status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship is terminated: with death; with naturalisatin; with a withdrawal; with a denial Article A persn is deprived f the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship, if this persn with any activity harms the interests f the Republic f Slvenia r insults its name and its symbls r if the falseness f the stated r ascertained facts in the applicatin is subsequently discvered. 2. Activities, recgnised as harmful fr the interests f the Republic f Slvenia are: if a persn is affiliated with an rganisatin, whse activities are pinted twards impairing the cnstitutinal rder f the Republic f Slvenia; if a persn is a frequent perpetratr f a criminal ffence, which are prsecuted by fficial duty and f vilatin f public rder; if a persn as an affiliate f a freign intelligence ffice is harmful fr the interests f the Republic f Slvenia r if a persn is harmful fr these interests by wrking in a state agency r rganisatin f a freign cuntry r if a persn is harmful fr these interests by ther acts and activities. VII. Repatriatin Article Repatriatin in this Act means all immigratin f Slvenes t their hmeland that is rganised and financed by the Republic f Slvenia. 2. Repatriatin in the previus paragraph is cnducted in accrdance with the regulatins n entrance, residence and exit f freigners in the Republic f Slvenia, if the prvisins f this Act d nt regulate this differently. 3. Besides repatriatin in this sense, the Republic f Slvenia als supprts ther frms f immigratin and returning f Slvene migrants and their descendants.

16 4. The ways f supprt frm the previus paragraph are regulated by departmental laws. Article Accrding t the prcedures f repatriatin, Slvenes can return t the Republic f Slvenia: frm thse states, where it is ascertained that they are in severe ecnmic and plitical crisis, where Slvenes are subject t varius pressures; if they can cntribute t the develpment and prmtin f the Republic f Slvenia. 2. The Ministry f Freign Affairs determines when a crisis in a certain cuntry can be defined as a severe plitical r ther crisis, is in the cmpetence f the ministry respnsible fr freign affairs. Article 73 Repatriatin in the sense f the first paragraph f the previus Article f this Act is financed frm the budget and ther surces. Article 74 The Office must directly cnduct repatriatin, except in the affairs under Article 83 and 84 f this Act. Article 75 An individual, wh wishes t mve t Slvenia r be granted supprt in the sense f this Act, files an applicatin at the Office r a nearby embassy f the Republic f Slvenia and submits recmmendatins f relevant rganizatins and institutins. Article The Decisin n the status f a repatriated persn is issued by the Office. 2. The Decisin in the previus paragraph is handed t persns abrad in accrdance with the prvisins f the law that regulates the general administrative prcedures. 3. The Decisin n the status f a repatriated persn and the vested rights and duties becme effective with the cming f the persn t the Republic f Slvenia. 4. The frmal finality f the Decisin, which grants the applicant the status f repatriated persn, is valid as a temprary residence permit in the Republic f Slvenia. 5. The status f a repatriated persn can be n lnger than 15 mnths. After this perid, the persn cannt apply fr this status again. Article A persn, allwed t mve t Slvenia as a repatriated subject, acquires the status f a repatriated persn with the vested rights listed under Article 66.f this Act. 2. In additin t the rights, listed under Article 66, the repatriated persn als has a right t: free medical care; lectures in Slvene language fr the clse family members.the lectures are rganised fr persns wh are nt familiar with Slvene language t the extent necessary fr an active integratin in the Slvene envirnment. acquire a persnal wrking permit, n the grunds f a frmal finality f the Decisin n the status f a repatriated persn, issued by the Emplyment Service f the Republic f Slvenia.

17 3. In this Act, the fllwing persns are recgnised as clse family members: spuse r partner, if they entered marriage r chabitatin befre cming t the Republic f Slvenia; underage unmarried child; linear relative f the repatriated persn, if this relative has n incme, is dependant n the repatriated persn r is supprted by the repatriated persn. 4. The family relatinship has t be prven by clse family members with a suitable certificate r ther prper dcument that can verify this relatinship r where this relatinship is demnstrated. A.Cnditins Article The entitlement f individuals t repatriatin is decided n by the Office n the grunds f pinins and suggestins f the embassies f the Republic f Slvenia, Slvene migrant rganisatins in Slvenia and abrad; Slvene Rman-Cathlic missins and missins f ther religius grups. 2. Fllwing the prcedures f repatriatin, persns f Slvene descent can mve t the Republic f Slvenia, if they fulfil the cnditins under Article 59 f this Act and have nt been in a criminal prcedure, nt been cnvicted t a penalty f cnvictin fr a perid lnger than ne year fr an ffence fr which a persn is prsecuted by fficial duty, if this is a criminal ffence bth in the laws f the cuntry f the persn?s residence as well as in the law f the Republic f Slvenia. 3. The applicant demnstrates that they meet the cnditins f the previus paragraph, as at is stated in Article 60 f this act and with the recmmendatins f the embassies f the Republic f Slvenia, Slvene Rman-Cathlic missins and missins f ther religius grups. The fulfillment f the cnditin f nn-criminal prsecutin frm the secnd paragraph f this Article is demnstrated by the applicant with a certificate frm the cuntry where the persn is a citizen, r ther prper dcuments. Article Fr accmmdating repatriated persns, the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia can establish an immigrant-hme. 2. In the establishment act, the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia can determine the peratr f the immigrant-hme and its financing. Article Repatriated persns in the immigrant-hme, in accrdance with the standards, prescribed the basic care in accrdance with the standards, defined by the minister f wrk, family and scial affairs, are guaranteed the basic supplies, including: husing nutritin. 2. Clse family members f the persn with the status f a repatriated individual have the pprtunity t be granted husing and nutritin. Article Repatriated persns, wh have significant resurces available t them, cntribute a relative part f the supply-csts.

18 2. The criteria fr Decisins n whether wn resurces can be defined as significant, are determined by the Ministry f Labur, Family and Scial Affairs. Article Repatriated persns are entitled t accmmdatin in the immigrant-hme fr a perid f n lnger than 15 mnths. 2. Repatriated persns wh d nt reside in the immigrant-hme are als entitled t cfinancing under equal cnditins. Article Until the cessatin f their status, individuals with the status f a repatriated persn and their clse family members are entitled t free medical care with the same cverage that is prvided t citizens f the Republic f Slvenia n the basis f the mandatry health insurance. 2. The csts f free medical care frm the previus paragraph f this Article are cvered by the Health Insurance Institute f Slvenia. 3. The surces f funds, determined by Article 73 f this act, will reimburse the expenditures f the Health Insurance Institute f Slvenia, caused by guaranteeing the free medical care frm the first and secnd paragraph. Article Repatriated persns that are withut incme and ther benefits and are nt family members f persns wh are in accrdance with regulatins f the Republic f Slvenia, wh wuld be liable and able t supprt them, are entitled t cash scial assistance. 2. As incme and ther benefits frm the previus paragraph will be such benefits and incme which are taken int accunt when assessing eligibility fr cash scial assistance accrding t the scial security regulatins. 3. Accrding t this act, when assessing eligibility fr cash scial assistance, the basic minimum incme, defined by the regulatins f scial welfare and incme, assessed by the methds, determined fr assessing eligibility fr cash scial welfare accrding t the regulatins f scial welfare are cnsidered, unless therwise prvided herein. 4. The amunt f cash scial assistance, the criteria and the claim fr cash scial assistance are specified in accrdance with regulatins, prescribing temprary prtectin fr displaced persns, unless therwise prvided herein. 5. The Centre fr Scial Wrk lcated where the repatriated persn is residing, decides n the right f this persn t receive financial assistance. 6. The prceedings fr granting financial assistance are initiated at the request f the repatriated persn. 7. The claim fr financial assistance is submitted n a frm, prescribed by the minister fr scial welfare. 8. The right t financial assistance frm the first paragraph f this Article is pending while the repatriated persn is withut incme, but n lnger than 15 mnths. 9. Repatriated persn lses the right t financial assistance by becming emplyed in the Republic f Slvenia. 10. The funds fr temprary financial assistance are drawn n surces, described under Article 73 f this act.

19 Article The Republic f Slvenia grants lder repatriated persns, wh have significantly cntributed t the perseverance and develpment f Slvene-hd and Slvene culture abrad, with special sustainable financial assistance. 2. Special sustainable financial assistance is als granted by the Republic f Slvenia t teachers f extra-curricula lectures f Slvene language, wh have nt received payment fr their teaching. 3. Mre specified criteria fr granting sustainable financial assistance and the amunts f financial assistance are determined with a regulatin f the Gvernment. Article Individuals wh have gained qualificatins as scientific experts by their practice abrad, need nt pass any prficiency r ther examinatins in Slvenia prir t becming emplyed. 2. The prvisin f the previus paragraph f this Article des nt apply t prficiency and ther examinatins fr specific skills and cmpetences, which require a detailed understanding f the cntext f the Republic f Slvenia (such as legal practice etc.) 3. The Ministry f Higher Educatin, Science and Technlgy determines the criteria fr recgnitin f the status f a scientific expert, determines prficiency and ther examinatins frm the previus paragraph f this Article and n the grunds f a prpsitin by the Office, delivers a prvisinal bligatry pinin n the existence f the criteria fr the named repatriated persns. Article 87 Repatriated persns can declare a temprary residence at the address f a rented real estate, with relatives wh allw this, at charity institutins, migrant rganizatins r in the immigrantshme. VII. Cllecting Persnal Data and Prtectin f Persnal Data Article Due t recrd-keeping, cnditin mnitring and making decisins n rights and duties, defined by this act, the Office cllects persnal and ther data related t granting the status f a Slvene withut the Slvene citizenship, t repatriatin and the media cmmunicatin. The data is retrieved directly frm the relevant persns, frm embassies f the Republic f Slvenia, Slvene migrants? rganisatins in Slvenia and abrad, Slvene Rman-Cathlic missins and missins f ther religius cmmunities, lcal self-gvernment units, bearers f public authrity and ther subjects f public law. 2. Agencies in the previus paragraph f this Article, with the exceptin f Slvene Rman-Cathlic missins and missins f ther religius cmmunities, have the duty t prvide the Office at its request with the data, free f charge. 3. The Office acquires persnal data that is at the dispsal f the Slvene Rman- Cathlic missins and missins f ther religius cmmunities by agreeing n the frms f transmitting the persnal data. Persnal data is disclsed t the Office after receiving the written cnsent f the persns in questin. 4. The Office cllects, prcesses, manages, disclses and saves persnal and ther data, necessary t perfrm the functins f the Office, as defined by this act, in accrdance

20 Article 89 with the regulatins related t the prtectin f persnal data and internatinal cnventins n the prtectin f persnal data. The register f recrds kept n persns wh have acquired the status f a Slvene withut Slvene citizenship, cnsists f the fllwing data: name and surname; date and place f birth; permanent residence address (dmicile) and/r temprary residence address; telephne number, electrnic address; level f cmpleted educatin, prfessin (if the persn gives written cnsent); citizenship; number and type f passprt; date f cessatin f the status f a Slvene withut the Slvene citizenship; ther infrmatin that is necessary fr deciding n granting the status accrding t this act. Article 90 The register f recrds kept n persns wh have acquired the status f a repatriated persn, cnsists f the fllwing data: name and surname; date and place f birth; date f entry t the Republic f Slvenia; data n emplyment, incme and ther benefits f the repatriated persn, fr the needs f determining the persn's accmmdatin; temprary residence address in the Republic f Slvenia; type and address f the last permanent address prir t arrival t the Republic f Slvenia; telephne number, electrnic address; level f cmpleted educatin, prfessin (if the persn gives written cnsent); citizenship; number and type f passprt; reasns fr becming a repatriated persn; data n scial benefits during the persn?s stay in Slvenia; names, surnames and temprary addresses f clse family members f the repatriated persn in the Republic f Slvenia; schling, language training and educatin, and educatin cmpleted in the Republic f Slvenia. Article The Office can, fr the purpses f media cmmunicatin r public cmmunicatin n the perating f the Office, prcess the list f subscribers f the central magazine fr Slvenes abrad. 2. The list f subscribers frm the previus paragraph cnsists f the fllwing data: name and surname f the subscriber; date and place f birth f the subscriber;

21 permanent residence address (dmicile) and temprary residence address f the subscriber; telephne number, electrnic address f the subscriber; transactins accunt r ther bank accunt number f the subscriber; tax identificatin number r ther relevant number f the subscriber; data n family members f the subscriber frm previus indents. 3. The Office btains the data frm the previus paragraph directly frm the subscribers, and als frm the applicants fr the status f a Slvene withut a citizenship in case f their written cnsent. T btain written cnsent, the Office may use the data frm Article 89 f this act. 4. The Office keeps the data frm the secnd paragraph f this paragraph permanently. Fr the purpses f statistical research, the data may be used als withut the written cnsent f subscribers. Article Persnal data in the recrds intended fr granting the status f a Slvene withut the status f the Slvene citizenship, are kept fr anther five years after death, withdrawal r cessatin f the status f the relevant persn. 2. Persnal data in the recrds intended fr repatriatin, are kept fr anther five years after the cessatin f the status f a repatriated persn. 3. After expiratin f the perid frm the first and secnd paragraph f this Article, the data is kept in the Archives f the Republic f Slvenia. VIII. Penal Prvisins Article Legal persns r entrepreneurs, wh d nt cmplete the requirements f the ninth indent f Article 66 in this act, are penalized with a fine f 500,000 t 1,000,000 SIT (Slvene Tlars). 2. The persn respnsible fr the legal persn r entrepreneur frm the previus paragraph is penalized with a fine f 200,000 t 500,000 SIT. 3. A persn respnsible fr a state agency r lcal self-gvernment unit is penalized fr the vilatin f the first paragraph f this Article with a fine f 200,000 t 500,000 SIT. 4. An individual persn is penalized fr the vilatin frm the first paragraph f this Article with a fine f 100,000 t 200,000 SIT. Article The implementatin and the mnitring f implementatin f the regulatins f the ninth indent f Article 66 f this Act are under the respnsibility f the Slvenian Labr Inspectrate. 2. The agency frm the previus paragraph f this Article may pass a fine fr the vilatins accrding t this Act, in the jurisdictin regulated by this Act.

22 IX. Transitry and Final Cnditins Article 95 The strategy f Article 12 f this act is develped and adpted by the Gvernment f the Republic f Slvenia n later than 2 years after this Act was passed. Article 96 Other executive regulatins that must be issued n the grunds f this act, are issued n later than in 12 mnths frm the effectiveness f this act. Article 97 Until an immigrant-hme is established, the agency cmpetent fr repatriatin, utilizes apprpriate rms in varius premises, wned by ministries, ffices and ther state institutins. Article 98 On the date f the effectiveness f this Act, the validity f the Decisin n Organizatin and Field f wrk f The Office fr Slvenes abrad (The Official Jurnal f the Republic f Slvenia, n. 138/04) ceases. Article 99 The secnd sentence f the first paragraph f Article 14 f this Act takes effect with the beginning f the next mandate. Article 100 This Act becmes effective n the 15th day after the publicatin in the Official Jurnal f the Republic f Slvenia. N /04-7/3 In Ljubljana, n April 4th 2005 EPA 473-IV France Cukjati, M.D. Chairman Of the Natinal Assembly f the Republic f Slvenia Surce: Mercatr Legislatin, Bulletin N. 66, II Quarter