At the Milano Stock Exchange last week the International Conference on "The future of European Equity Markets" was taking place. It was organized by pan European organization, created to promote the interests of issuing companies – EuropeanIssuers, and association of Italian joint stock companies – Assonime. Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., the President of the VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association and Board Member of EuroFinuse – European Federation of Financial Services Users, along with the investo.tv film crew actively participated at the conference.

Within the framework of the efforts for the programs invest to Slovenia – investo.si and International Investors' Network – invest-to.net, Mr. Verbič met with numerous respected guests and speakers, among others with Vittorio Grilli, Italian Minister of Economy and Finance, Massimo Tononi, Chairman of Borsa Italiana, Didier Lombard, Chairman of EuropeanIssuers, Emil Paulis, Director of Financial Markets at European Commission, Xavier Rolet, CEO of London Stock Exchange, Laurent Degabriel, Head of Investment and Reporting Division at ESMA, Andrea Beltratti, Chairman of Management Board of Intesa Sanpaolo, and Dominique Senequier, CEO of AXA Private Equity. At this important international conference, VZMD representatives once again successfully presented investment opportunities and potential of Slovenian economy, companies and institutions that are part of investo.si program.

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD is further intensifying its efforts under investo.si program, and is preparing one more presentations for the International Investors´ Conference in Wiesbaden on 4 December.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) in Ljubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 3^th panel, entitled »Euro and Eurobonds in the Global Context - The Role and Perspective of Banks and Financial Systems«. The panellists were: France Arhar, Ph.D., Director of Slovenian Banking Association, Matjaž Gantar, M.Sc., Chairman of The Board of The KD Group, Keith Miles, President of the British-Slovene Society and respected international economist, Agnes Le Thiec, Director of Capital Markets Policy at CFA Institute, and Jean-Pierre Paelinck, Ph.D., President and Secretary General of World Federation of Investors(WFI).

Similar discussion was also presented on investo.tv after round table »The Future of the Eurozone«, where EU counselor for economic policies, Mrs. Maria João Rodrigues, presented her views and alternatives and provided answers to some of most relevant and pressing issues in the conversation with the EuroFinuse & Eurosharholders Board member and President of VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc. (click here to watch the whole exclusive interview)

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD keeps to intensify its efforts under investo.si program and is preparing presentations for International Conference on the future of European Stock Markets at the Milan Stock Exchange on the 28th of November, and the International Conference in Wiesbaden on the 4th of December 2013.

EU counselor for economic policies, Mrs. Maria João Rodrigues, has presented her views and alternatives and provided answers to some of most relevant and pressing issues in the conversation with the EuroFinuse & Eurosharholders Board member and President of VZMD – PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc. The main focus of the conversation was exclusively placed on investo.tv, and the conversation took place after the »The Future of the Eurozone« round table, which was organized by the Slovenian Association for International Relations (SDMO), Friedrich Ebert foundation (FSE) and Euro-Altantic Council of Slovenia (EASS), and took place in Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana where VZMD representatives participated to boost the endeavors under the invest to Slovenia – investo.si program and the International Investors' Network – invest-to.net.

Jože Mencinger, professor at the Facultly of Economics, Mitja Gaspari, former Finance minister and (former) Governor of the Bank of Slovenia, Igor Masten, professor at the Facultly of Economics and Damjan Kozamernik, Head of the Analytics and Research Center at the Bank of Slovenia joined the prominent guest in the discussion.

Following numerous successful presentations of Slovenian enterprises and business environment at home and abroad, VZMD is further intensifying its efforts under investo.si program, and is preparing presentations for "European Public Affairs Awards" award granting to be held in Brussels on 14 November, International Conference on the future of European Stock Markets at the Milan Stock Exchange on 28 November, and the International Conference in Wiesbaden on 4 December.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) in Ljubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 4^th panel, entitled "Barriers to Shareholders Engagement - Report on Cross-border Proxy Voting". The panellists were: Guillaume Prache, Managing Director of EuroFinuse, Susannah Haan, Secretary General of EuropeanIssuers, Christane Hoelz, Director North-Rhine Westfalia of DSW and Henning Wegener Managing Director of AMEC.

EuroFinuse, the European Federation of Financial Services Users, in which PanSlovenian Shareholders` Association - VZMD collaborates as an active member and is represented in the Board of Directors by its President Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., welcomes Consultation from the European Commission on Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) – Long-Term Investments. They focus their response to the consultation on the part of long-term investments that are crucial for individual shareholders and retail investors, who they represent (for further information click the picture above).

EuroFinuse is shortlisted for the 2012 European Public Affairs Awards. You can support them by casting your vote here!

Yesterday the International Conference on Benefits and Challenges of Public Private Partnerships for improving Energy Efficiency was held at Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana, organized by International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) and international network Knowledge Economy Network (KEN). Exceptional conference was also attended by numerous distinguished guests, among whom were the Vice-president of European Investment Bank (EIB), Anton Rop, M.Sc., President of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, prof. Ernest Petrič, Ph.D., representative of European Commission, Stefano Panighetti, representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Rainer Stifter, representative of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Karim Dahou, Director general of ICPE, Janez Podobnik, President of KEN, Boris Cizelj, Ph.D., and many other representatives of organizations and institutions from the fields of economy, entrepreneurship and diplomacy.

We Invite you to view exclusive video report of investo.tv, with statements of prominent guests.

After a successful and high-profile international investors' conference and exposition "investo Expo" – which was organized within the "investors' Week" by PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) inLjubljana Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) – investo.tv publishes the full clip of the 5^th panel, entitled "Competitiveness of Slovenia as seen from Foreign Direct Investors", prepared by the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments – JAPTI. At the panel – in addition to Igor Plestenjak, CEO of JAPTI, the first one who addressed the participants – Matej Skočir, M.Sc., Head of the Foreign Investment Department at JAPTI, Matija Rojec, Ph.D, professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Peter Stanovnik, Ph.D., from the Institute for Economic Research, and Simon Mastnak, M.Sc.,CEO of Masset Consulting, also took part in the panel.

During the next few days on the websites VZMD.TV and investo.tv, in addition to already published video reports of intense happening at the "investors' Week", also video reports of the remaining panels, which took place at an international investors' conference and "investo Expo" exposition, will be published.

European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinuse) has in cooperation with investo.tv and VZMD.TV, prepared a VIDEO OVERVIEW of intensive events during the world's largest meeting of investors' and shareholders' representatives »Investors' Week«, which was organized by EuroFinuse, Euroshareholders, World Federation of Investors (WFI) and PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) within its investo.si ­- Invest to Slovenia program and International Investors' Network - invest-to.net. 

VIDEO REPORT highlights the EuroFinuse International Conference on Financial Education and the "investo Expo" exposition that took place in Cankar Hall in Ljubljana, where at the closure of these events »Ljubljana declaration«was adopted. The declaration introduces the unification of two European associations, which protect rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users - Euroshareholders and EuroFinuse, comprising 50 national organizations, which represent over 4 million individual shareholders and investors.

On Wednesday, September the 19^th 2012, »Investors` Week«was officially opened by Mrs. Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of EuroFinuse - the European Federation of Financial Services Users and the host Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., President of VZMD. At the opening and gala dinner on evening before the conference, participants were also welcomed by top economic and financial Slovenian authorities, including the Slovenian Minister of Finance Mr. Janez Šušteršič, Ph.D., the President of the Slovenian Constitutional Court Prof. Ernest Petrič, Ph.D., and the President of National Assembly, Mr. Gregor Virant, Ph.D., who not only presented facts about the current economic and political situation in Slovenia but also shared their thoughts on possible future investments in Slovenia.

EuroFinuse' International Conference on Financial Education started on Thursday, September the 20^th, and spread over two action packed days. The conference as well as the exposition "Investo Expo" that ran alongside, attracted a multitude of participants from across Europe and also Cameroon, Russia and Lebanon and brought together European and international experts in Financial Education from industry, policy making and academia.

The conference was structured around five individual content rich panel discussions. The first panel dealt with the crucial question of how to revitalise the EU capital markets through pensions and other reforms. Panellists criticised the apparent lack of transparency, highlighted the importance of the work of non-governmental organisations in this respect, and elaborated on the differences of European national markets that at present undermine the establishment of more cross border funds.

The second panel related directly to the title of EuroFinuse international conference and concerned the rather controversial topic of educating and protecting financial services users. Financial education is an important element in empowering consumers to make the best decisions for their financial circumstances. Although the European Commission supports in general the provision of financial education for EU citizens, little has been done in practical terms. The education level and understanding of financial matters still remain quite low amongst consumers.

The third panel tackled the much argued importance of the Euro and Eurobonds in the global context and in relation to the current financial crisis and focused on the role of banks and financial systems. Panellists as well as members of the audience engaged in a heated debate about the appropriateness of Eurobonds as the right tool for debt solidarity. 

The fourth panel highlighted the barriers to shareholder engagement. At its end, a report on cross-border proxy voting also known as Eurovote, was presented by Christiane Hoelz, managing director of North-Rhine Westphalia of DSW, the German association for private investors. More information on the Eurovote project can be found on the EuroFinuse website http://eurofinuse.org/eurovote2012.

The final panel offered an in-depth view on best practices for cross border investment, presented by JAPTI, the Slovenian public agency for entrepreneurship and foreign investment. Panellists were debating the political and economic obstacles that foreign investors frequently encounter and compared foreign and domestic enterprises.

On Friday, September the 21^st, the International Conference on Financial Education as well as the "Investo Expo" exposition officially closed with a speech given by Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., President of VZMD, and Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of EuroFinuse, presenting the ‘Ljubljana Declaration'.

This so called ‘Ljubljana Declaration' foresees the merger of Euroshareholders with EuroFinuse as of January the 1^st 2013, and aims to increase the visibility and activity of EuroFinuse – The European Federation of Financial Services Users.

Large institutional investors from EU that manage over 1.34 trillion EUR and individual investors' representatives associations, together with PanSlovenian Shareholders` Association (VZMD), just a few days after "Ljubljana Declaration" signed the paper "Audit – a long-term investor position paper on proposed EU reforms". The signatories of this paper represent long term investors, who take their ownership responsibilities seriously, investing significant resources and time in securing, monitoring and voting their assets. Financial reports provide vital information for them to be able to monitor executives' use of their capital, and the audit of annual statements offers an essential assurance that information in company accounts is ‘true and fair'. The quality of the audit is, therefore, of utmost importance.

They believe there are five worrying features of the audit market. At a very fundamental level, they are concerned about: failure of auditors to provide adequate warnings prior to the collapse of a number of banks and insurers in the financial crisis, too few large auditors providing audit services to the largest listed companies (the average market share of the Big Four audit firms in EU member states is over 90%), high levels of non-audit work conducted by the auditor for the same company, apparently heavy dependence of the regulators and standard setters on the large audit firms for professional and financial support, lack of rotation of Audit firms – each one of them is often pointed out by the VZMD representatives at annual assemblies of companies.

This problems were already pointed out by VZMD in august this year, when EuroFinuse, the European Federation of Financial Services Users, in which VZMD collaborates as an active member and is represented in the Board of Directors by its President Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., brought out a press release, in which they expressed their serious concern for the introduced reforms of European regulative of auditing market, that concerns European financial services users and shareholders of the European audited issuers.

EuroFinuse believes that the current economic damage, endured by shareholders of European banks, which otherwise had good audit reports, calls for more proper functioning of the audit markets in Europe. This would result in favorable impact on both, the European financial industryand auditing companies of any kind in Europe.

In the course of the Investor's Week, the world's largest meeting of investor representatives and shareholders, which was organized by the Pan-Slovenian Shareholders Association (VZMD) within its investo.si - Invest to Slovenia program from 19 to 23 September in Slovenia, the Ljubljana declaration was adopted and presented at the end of the international investor conference and investo Expo exposition in Cankar Hall in Ljubljana. The declaration introduces the unification of two European associations protecting rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users - Euroshareholders and EuroFinuse, comprising 50 national organizations, which represent over 4 million individual shareholders and investors.

Upon opening of the second day of the international investor conference and investo Expo fair in Cankar Hall in Ljubljana, the VZMD award "Polet" was granted already for the second time for "Model corporate governance of multinational corporations" to 
Gorenje enterprise. The award was handed over by Roger Ganser, the president of the World Federation of Investors (WFI), Uroš Rožič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Kristijan Verbič, the president of VZMD, and it was received by Jure Marjanovič, the Board Secretary, on behalf of Gorenje.

The award for the "model corporate governance of multinational corporation" was already the second award granted by VZMD as a part of the two-day international investor conference and investo Expo fair, while the traditional VZMD and Euroshareholders award for "Shareholder-friendly company" was received by the pharmaceutical company Krka at the mayor's reception in Ljubljana castle the previous evening. The award was handed over by Jella Benner-Heinacher, the president of Euroshareholders, and Kristjan Verbič, and was received by Peter Skubic, deputy CFO, on behalf of Krka.

During the international investor conference and investo Expo fair, which was partly supported by the European Commission, 5 panels were debating the current and most significant local, European and global issues regarding financial and capital markets, reforms and investments with the participation of prominent international and national experts, whereby 18 of the most renown Slovenian companies and institutions were introduced to over a hundred foreign participants from 55 countries as well as to other guests and visitors.

Due to the resounding success and acknowledgment VZMD received in view of efficient execution of the Investor's week and Investo Expo the Ljubljana declaration is certainly the most significant milestone in the protection of rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users and respective regulations in the European Community. Through the Ljubljana declaration, which brings together all European associations protecting rights and interests of shareholders, investors, and financial services users as of January 1st 2013, the Slovenian capital shall be recorded in the chronicles of shareholding, investing and regulating of financial and capital markets in the European Community.

The proclamation of Ljubljana declaration acknowledges the work and activities of VZMD co-workers, as well as the preparation of all bilateral and multilateral gatherings which brought about the unanimous decision of the merger at the two separate meetings of Euroshareholders and EuroFinuse in Cankar hall in Ljubljana on 21 September. This historic decision is known as the "Ljubljana declaration".

Gallery can be found at: http://www.mediaspeed.net/skupina.asp?id=1&skupina=8067