The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia visited KEK

October 7, 2016

On October 4, 2016, His Excellency Dr. Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Her Excellency Ms. Simona Leskovar, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Japan, visited the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, KEK. H. E. Dr. Cerar and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Director General (DG), Dr. Masanori Yamauchi, Executive Director Dr. Yasuhiro Okada, the KEK and Slovenian researchers working on Belle/Belle II experiments.

The meeting began with a presentation of D G Dr. Yamauchi introducing KEK's research activities including the Belle/Belle II experiments, and then Prof. Peter Krizan from the Jozef Stefan Institute / University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, explained the contribution of Slovenian group to the Belle/Belle II experiments. After the meeting, the Prime Minister took a tour to the Belle II detector where twelve Slovenian scientists from Slovenian research institutes, including the University of Ljubljana, are working for. Slovenia team plays an important role in construction and operation of both Belle and Belle II detectors.

During the tour, "Slovenia is proud of participating in Belle/Belle II experiments. I feel happy to see actual accelerators and meet many distinguished scientists in this visit" the Prime Minister said. He had attended the bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the 13th annual international Science and Technology in Society Forum (STS Forum). At the both opportunities, the Prime Minister emphasized that government of Slovenia and Slovenian scientists are making a significant contribution to these experiments. "Collaboration with Japan in the field of science and technology is very important. Slovenia will continue supporting Belle/Belle II experiments." the Prime Minister said.

After the tour, a dinner meeting was held with Slovenian researchers and exchange students. They discussed research collaborations between Slovenia and Japan. The Prime Minister asked the scientists and the students about their research activities and their lives in Japan.

Strengthening the relationship between two countries is expected to support the enhancement of Belle II experiment.