SENATORS MCCAIN AND THOMPSON CALL ON PRESIDENT KUCAN

Ljubljana, 23 August 2002


The significance of NATO and European Union enlargement in a globalised environment was the central topic of discussion between the President of the Republic of Slovenia and US Senators John McCain and Fred Thompson. President Kucan estimates that in a globalised world close cooperation between the US and Europe is of extraordinary importance.

Differences between countries and regions are a political fact, which in itself can serve as a positive incentive for development, President Kucan stated in the course of the discussion. In his view, this is proven also by the vision of a united Europe created after World War II. Today that vision is being pursued further with the process of EU enlargement. Equally successful in President Kucan's opinion was the vision for NATO, which guaranteed security and at the same time enabled a creative equilibrium between its members’ joint and particular interests. Both of these structures and their missions are of even greater import in a global world. It is for this reason that Slovenia is desirous of actively participating in the dialogue within both of these integration structures and expects forthcoming full membership in the two organisations, President Kucan also stated.