Press Release: Slovenia: Official Launch of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 will be launched in Ljubljana on 8 January by the Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the Slovene Prime Minister Janez Janša. This will be preceded on 7 January by a conference, also in Ljubljana, entitled "Intercultural Dialogue as the Fundamental Value of the EU" in the presence of Commissioners Ján Figel' and Jánez Potočnik. The events in Ljubljana kick off a multitude of activities across Europe, and throughout the year, which will emphasise interaction of cultures, deepening of relations between nationalities and religions, and promoting through dialogue a strengthening of understanding, tolerance, solidarity and a sense of common destiny among EU citizens from all walks of life.