Ljubljana, 12.06.2001 - Prior to the visit of the President of the US George W. Bush and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, whose first ever meeting will take place in Slovenia, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, has had two separate working discussions today with Ms Nancy Ely-Raphel, Ambassador of the US, and Mr Tigran Karakhanov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation. President Kučan expressed his great satisfaction that, during the period when our country is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its independence, Slovenia would be able to host such an important meeting of the presidents of two countries that were decisively influencing the present and future shape of the world.

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President Kučan handed to the ambassadors a joint letter of welcome, addressed to the two eminent guests by the President himself and by Prime Minister Janez Drnovšek. "Slovenia is greatly honoured that you have chosen our country as the venue for your meeting", wrote President Kučan and Prime Minister Janez Drnovšek. In the letter, they express their special satisfaction that this visit will also be an opportunity for discussions with representatives of the Slovene state, which may contribute towards answering the security and political issues in the European space, particularly in relation to the crisis region in southeastern Europe.