The VZMD (PanSlovenian Investors' & Shareholders' Association) warns that one year after the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg had issued the ruling and two months past the deadline, by which the authorities and the legislators were bound to eliminate the unconstitutional restriction of rights to effective judicial relief of wiped out investors in Slovenian banks, there is simply no indication that this would occur within a reasonable time. Why do the authorities in the Republic of Slovenia keep dragging their feet? Are they really planning on shifting the burden of the defendant to the Republic of Slovenia and thus additionally encumbering all citizens and compelling the entire system of government to defend the illegal actions of the responsible persons at the Bank of Slovenia?!

The Sunday evening reception in Washington, D.C. marked the beginning of the 30th World Congress of the International Union for Housing Finance (IUHF). The congress creates a unique opportunity for learning about different social models and challenges in funding of housing construction around the world, and offers an opportunity for networking with the representatives of governmental institutions, businesses, NGOs and other entities related to investors and housing infrastructure funding.

Today an international conference “Joint ESAs Consumer Protection Day 2017” is taking place in Prague, opened by the president of the board of European Supervisory Authorities (ESA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) Andrea Enria and the Member of the European Parliament Sven Giegold. The important conference was organised by the joint board of ESA, comprised of ESMA - European Securities and Market Authority, EIOPA - European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the EBA.

On Tuesday, the Slovenian business delegation, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SPIRIT Slovenia, and the Slovenian Tourist Board in cooperation with the Embassy of the RS in Ottawa, the Embassy of Canada in Slovenia and the Canadian Slovenian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto arrived in Canada on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Canada.

Next week will mark the beginning of the jubilee 50th tour of the international business-investor programs of the VZMD Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and International Investors` Network (invest-to.net), as part of which the VZMD President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, will visit Toronto, Ottawa and Washington. As a member of the Slovenian economic delegation led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Mr. Gorazd Žmavc, Mr. Verbič will take part in B2B talks between Slovenian and Canadian business persons and the Canadian-Slovenian tourism and the economy forum in Toronto. Moreover, Mr. Verbič will meet with the President and CEO of the investment management firm Rocklinc Investment Partners Inc., Mr. Jonathan M. Wellum, and, in Ottawa, the members will attend the event Ottawa Welcomes the World 2017 celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Canadian confederation, where Slovenia will have a dedicated exhibition area.

Last weekend, the Annual meeting of the he Black Sea and Caspian Sea International Fund (BSCSIF) took place in Istanbul. Among other things, at this important meeting a decision was made to rename this reputable international organization, which comprises 36 member states as its activities stretch further beyond the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region. Now the International Fund bears the name “International Fund for Sustainable Peace and Development”, and at the same time 9 countries have become members. In accordance with the rotation approach, Mr. Dimitar Kostov from Bulgaria replaced the current President Mr. Chingiz Abdullayev from Azerbaijan at the General meeting.

Having attended the OECD Forum in Paris, President of the PanSlovenian Shareholders' & Investors' Association (VZMD), Mr. Kristjan Verbič, - as part of the 49th tour of the international business-investor programs of VZMD - Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and International Investors` Network (investo.international) - left for the Spanish city of Malaga to attend the Innovation Festival and the annual congress of the European Business Angel Network (EBAN).

At the Paris headquarters of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the traditional OECD Forum entitled “Bridging Divides” this year took place. The central focus of this Forum is predominantly the question of what divides us and what unites us. As OECD put it, the year of 2016 was characterized by increasing populism, nationalism, and historically low level of trust. Hence the centerpiece of the Forum is the need for policies winning back the confidence of those who feel left behind, fearful of the impact of globalization, increasing migration flows and unprecedented speed of technological development. The two-day forum will be followed by the Ministerial Council Meeting.

Cannes, France, is currently hosting many events on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the film festival, which are not attended only by visitors but also by many representatives from the international business world. On this occasion, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, the President of the PanSlovenian Investors' & Shareholders' Association (VZMD), also received invitations from some of the most renowned representatives from the fashion and film industry. In the past few days, he has attended many meetings, screenings and receptions.

Yesterday, South African city of Durban hosted the "EU - South Africa Dialogue on Sustainability Transition: The Role of Circular Economy" international conference, which was also attended by the PanSlovenian Investors` & Shareholders` Association (VZMD) President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, who was a member of the delegation led by the European Commission. The delegation consisting of over 40 members and led by Mr. Daniel Calleja, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Environment at the European Commission, met with numerous representatives of institutions and companies from South Africa as well as from surrounding countries, since Durban simultaneously also hosted the "World Economic Forum on Africa". On this occasion, the VZMD President spoke with many conference participants and important guests (in the photo with Ms. Edna Molewa, the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs, and delegation organizers)