Ljubljana, 6 June (STA) - President Borut Pahor and Human Rights Ombudsman Vlasta Nussdorfer presented on Thursday a memorandum on equal opportunities for persons with Down syndrome to Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Anja Kopač Mrak. The ministry is planning to draft a bill on social inclusion next year.

Also present at the event were parents who started a centre for children with Down syndrome to improve the standard of life of their own child.

The ombudsman said that she met representatives of Slovenia's three organisations associated with Down syndrome - Planet 47, Harmony Association and Down syndrome - in late March on the initiative of the president.

The meeting decided to draft a memorandum, Nussdorfer said, adding that it was "right that the country take care of children suffering from mental development problems...After they grow up, these children must be included in everyday life".

Kopač Mrak accepted the memorandum on behalf of the government. She said she will meet ministers responsible for education and health to discuss "what can be done in the shortest time".