Berlin - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch discussed the consular needs of the 30,000-40,000 Slovenians living in Germany with officials at the Slovenian Embassy in Berlin on Saturday.

Jaklitsch talked about the challenges with Polona Mal Bitec, who is responsible for consular activities at the embassy. Due to great interest in consular services, the officials discussed the possibility of introducing consular days in the town of Hilden in Nordrhein-Westfalen, to facilitate document issuing.

In talks with Ambassador Franci But, the minister expressed joy that he opened the door of his residence to the Slovenian community.

Jaklitsch also met Iztok Petek, a co-founder of creative centre CISpace, which also presents Slovenian artists in its gallery.

With members of the VTIS association of Slovenians who studied abroad, the minister talked about their education and careers. They assured Jaklitsch they would strive to preserve and nurture the Slovenian community in Berlin.

Jaklitsch finished the second day of her three-day visit in Hilden in Nordrhein-Westfalen, where she met representatives of the Slovenian associations.

The representatives presented the minister their activities, important projects and plans for the future.

Apart from the need for consular days, the main challenges faced by the Slovenian community there are the lack of priests and disinterest of the young in continuing social activities, partly also because of Covid-19.