09/14/2026
Dignitaries from Slovenia - Sept 2026🇸🇮
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" It is my honor to welcome our distinguished guests today. First, the Minister for Relations with Slovenians living in the Neighboring Countries and Abroad, Ms. Suzana Lep Šimenko. This Ministry is responsible for maintaining and strengthening Slovenia’s relations with its national minorities in neighboring countries, as well as with Slovenian emigrants and their descendants throughout the world. It supports the Slovenian language and culture, educational and community organizations, economic cooperation and stronger connections with Slovenia.
Prior to this role, Ms. Šimenko was a member of the National Assembly from 2014 to 2026 and also served as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 2020 to 2022.
I had a privilege meeting Ms. Šimenko in the Slovenian Parliament when she chaired the Parliamentary Commission for Relations with Slovenians outside of their homeland. There is an annual open event called “Dobrodošli doma” (meaning welcome home) when the Commission welcomes all Slovenians from abroad to visit the Parliament and share their experiences, challenges and successes with others. If you are ever visiting Slovenia during that time, I highly recommend that you join.
Since Ms. Šimenko’s appointment as a Minister in June 2026, she first visited Slovenians in Porabje, a region in the neighboring country of Hungary, and has just started an official visit to Slovenian communities in the United States earlier this week. We are very honored that Ms. Šimenko chose the USA for her first extensive trip abroad and especially our community in Lemont today.
Joining from Slovenia today are also Ms. Polona Klemenčič, the Head of the Minister's Office, and Ms. Suzana Martinez, the Head of the Sector for Slovenians Around the World, which includes the USA.
Let me also extend a warm welcome back to the Slovenian Consul General from Cleveland, Ms. Suzana Češarek. Many of you have met her during her frequent visits to our community in the past two years since she assumed the role of the Consul General in September 2024. You may also know that she had previously served at the Slovenian missions to the United Nations, the European Union and at the Embassy in Vienna.
Ms. Češarek now represents Slovenia across ten US states, including the State of Illinois. We are very grateful for all her contributions and support in the diplomatic, economic, consular, and cultural endeavors in our state and are looking forward to our continuous cooperation in the future.
Let me just to all of you “Dobrodošli pri nas doma!” (meaning welcome at our home)."
-Urska Prepeluh Magajne
