SLOVENIA NOT ACCIDENTALLY CHOSEN AS SUMMIT VENUE
Statement by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kucan, following separate talks with President Bush and President Putin at their Slovenia Summit
(video in Slovenian language)

Brdo by Kranj, 16 June 2001





Ladies and gentlemen, I share with you the joy, the happiness, the curiosity and the heat.

Following my talks with both presidents who are our dear guests today, I can say that Slovenia wasn't accidentally selected as the venue for this summit. A lot was mentioned in our talks about Slovenia's role, about its achievements, its role as a factor of stability and an expert on South East Europe, its role as a bridge between the erstwhile political East of Europe and its West, and particularly the South East of Europe. It was more than obvious that it was not difficult to reach agreement as to where the venue of the meeting was to be, a venue, which would also symbolically demonstrate that both Presidents truly believe that the Cold War in Europe is over. Both guests expressed many a compliment on account of Slovenia; they spoke of their first impressions, of the beauty of our country, of the kindness of the people they saw at the airport and along the roads. Most of all, they praised the excellent organisation of the meeting and the conditions in which they are able to hold their talks.

My feeling following these talks is that the views, aims and points of departure as to the issues at hand are sufficiently near and that these talks can serve as the basis for seeking the manners and means of solving these problems. There certainly are differences, at least from the perspective of what was said not only at these talks but also at all four stops President Bush made in Europe, and also from the perspective of what President Putin said and what was done in Shanghai. But you will be talking about that later.

If therefore my assumptions, my impressions following these talks are right, then Slovenia could be a good ally to both countries and to all those who strive for peace, security, prosperity and development for all, and who want to create the right conditions for a dialogue on the true, real dilemmas humanity is facing.

The main topics of my talks with both Presidents were topics regarding Slovenia's interests, that is EU enlargement as seen by both Presidents, Europe and relations within Europe, expanding not only Europe's security and stability, but also the values on which a united Europe of the future is based. It is very important for Russia not to understand European enlargement, and the strong Euro-Atlantic alliance with the United States of America, as a process that would in any way be aimed against Russia.

I stand firmly convinced that in view of the experience it already made, the European Union, too, will formalise its relations with Russia through various agreements, as Russia remains a specific partner both for the European Union and NATO. This is in the interest of all of Europe. It is in the interest of peace, security, and it is a prerequisite for development and prosperity.

Slovenia's positions as to these issues are clear, its interests are clear. I believe that Slovenia will do everything to fulfil its share of the obligations that must be met to fully set ajar the door leading into the European Union, for the NATO invitation next year in Prague to also contain Slovenia's name. The rest is, to a high extent, up to others.

Regarding the important topics that are the subject of talks today I am an optimist and I hope that all of us together, once the talks are concluded, will be pleased with the press conference, that we will get the answers we are expecting and I hope that all of us will leave Brdo as optimists, just like I am sure our guests will be leaving Slovenia satisfied and pleased with a job well done.

Thank you.