SLOVENIA ENJOYS A HIGH REPUTATION
First Official Visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia to the UK
Statement following talks with Britain's foreign and defence secretaries and the audience with Queen Elizabeth II

London (United Kingdom), 11 December 2001


Today's talks with Britain's Secretary of Defence and the Foreign Secretary confirmed the very high sympathies and reputation that Slovenia enjoys in the United Kingdom. They also confirmed the UK's willingness to cooperate with Slovenia, particularly to assist it with the last steps leading to Slovenia's strategic goals, i.e. membership in the EU and NATO. These sympathies are based on Slovenia's achievements. What Slovenia had achieved enjoys particular esteem and recognition in British politics. Without that there would not have been all of what has been happening these two days of my visit here.

My conclusion is, that also with the remaining EU negotiations – today Slovenia namely closed three additional chapters, leaving four more to close – Slovenia can count on Britain's understanding and insistence on non-discriminatory negotiations, meaning that any bilateral conditions will not prevent accession to the European Union and that the candidates participation at the Convention will be assured, that the Laeken summit will actually constitute preparations for the Convention and for including the candidates in the dialogue on the future of the European Union.

Regarding NATO, I believe that the recent visit by Minister Grizold cleared up the objections that could be heard particularly on account of Slovenia's self-satisfaction of sorts. It is difficult to find out where this assessment on the part of our partners actually emerged. Any misunderstandings as to whether Slovenia now has a clear concept of development of its armed forces have now been done away with. A concept has been adopted, approved by the government, and the current Defence Minister and the Chief of General Staff are a guarantee for the implementation of this concept in line with the initial idea and that this will also lead us to achieve what is expected of us today: a highly capable, small army, compatible with the logic of the armed forces within the Euro-Atlantic alliance.

A unique recognition of Slovenia and its efforts was also the audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who spoke very highly of Slovenia. Its was a great honour for me to have been able to extend to Her Majesty an invitation to visit Slovenia, now that Slovenia both Princess Ann and Prince Charles had already visited Slovenia previously.


Question
In the context of EU accession, did you perhaps also discuss transitional periods regarding the free movement of labour?

MILAN KUCAN
We spoke about this very briefly. You know that it was indeed the British, together with the Irish, that jointly pressed forward to break through this blockade of the candidates and to adopt a solution whereby these relations can be settled with each country individually within the seven-year moratorium.

Question
How was the audience with the Queen?

MILAN KUCAN
Protocol is the rule here. The chamberlain accompanies you into the chamber where Her Majesty is waiting and announces you. This is followed by an exchange of gifts and decorations. On receiving the decoration I said that it was a recognition for my country as a whole, which we accept with pleasure and honour. This was followed by talks, mainly regarding Slovenia as it is today, our expectations for the future, commendation of Slovenia's achievements on the path from independence until today, when Slovenia is an established and reputable European state and member of the international community. The talks were very kind, just like the Queen herself is a very kind woman.

Question
Did she perhaps remember her son's visit to Slovenia?

MILAN KUCAN
She mostly remembered her own visit to the former Yugoslavia, which she has very fond memories of. In order for her to be able to compare those impressions with today's, we extended an invitation.

Question
You also met little Leo. How was that?

MILAN KUCAN
During very immersed talks we heard a child's chatter behind the door. Daddy, the Prime Minister, got up and said »that is my youngest son,« he opened the door, picked him up and said »They are from Slovenia, that's the President of Slovenia.« The boy waved to us, said hello, and went on his way.

Question
(Inaudible)

MILAN KUCAN
You know that the UK is in a way Europe's leading state in terms of support for the idea of EU as well as NATO enlargement. The Minister said very directly that it would be difficult to explain if enlargement were not to occur. He said that he personally would be very surprised if Slovenia wouldn't be invited to join the Euro-Atlantic alliance.

But with both issues of which I said that we enjoy the UK's undisputed sympathies and support, the homework remains our own and we have to do it ourselves. We can however count on advice, assistance and support if we hit a problem.

Question
Did the Queen accept the invitation to visit Slovenia?

MILAN KUCAN
The Queen very kindly accepted the invitation. Queens are generally very kind.