ELECTIONS WILL NOT CHANGE ORIENTATIONS OF SLOVENIA
THE NEW YEAR RECEPTION FOR THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

Brdo by Kranj, 23 January 2002




Distinguished Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends of Slovenia,
Distinguished Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Esteemed Guests,

We were summoned here today by the beautiful old custom of visiting friends at the inception of the New Year. I am glad to be here with you.

There are new Ambassadors here among us, including the Apostolic Nuncio Marian Oles, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps. I should like to wish those of you who are new a professionally successful and personally pleasant stay in Slovenia. I believe that, just as your predecessors, you will successfully represent your countries here and contribute to fruitful and friendly relations with Slovenia.

Like every year at this occasion, allow me to wish you all of you a happy, successful and peaceful New Year. I wish for all of you and your families to feel at home in Slovenia. You are most welcome here among us, in a peaceful and safe country.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the hard truth of today's global, interdependent world is that whatever happens to one happens to all. It is also for this reason that Slovenia consciously joined the anti-terrorist coalition, which had the capacity of effective action following the horrendous terrorist attacks in the United States. Much more remains to be done, however. What is also needed is a permanent alliance in order to do away with the pathological phenomena of a globalising world. The economic, social and technological gaps are growing ever wider. These gaps produce imbalances, which make difficult or even prevent global dialogue. Civilisations, states and nations are seeking ways towards a humane coexistence in our world, but no one may act as if they were alone or dependent only on their own actions any more. The future can only be a common one or there will be no future for anyone. Neither for the wealthy nor for the poor parts of the world if there will be no bridges between them and if all that remains in the end is the language of violence.

As the EU and NATO are opening their gates to new members, the area of security, stability, peace and democracy is expanding. Europe and the entire Euro-Atlantic region are thus preparing for an active role in the global dialogue on the future of a globalised world, a world requiring global responsibility from every country and from every integration of countries. It starts with respect for common values, with responsibility for stable and safe circumstances in one's own country and one's own continent. For Europeans, it starts primarily with the understanding and alleviation of the more deep-rooted causes of crisis areas at home, particularly in its South East. Only thus will we be able to part with unrestful history. Such a stable and peaceful Europe, internally conjoined despite its differences, equipped with common democratic institutions and founded on the common values of the European civilisational heritage will successfully bear its share of the responsibility for the future of the world. And thus for its own future. It is also for this reason that Slovenia wishes to constructively participate in the work of the European Convention. I believe that in its proposed composition this convention will find good solutions for the renewal of the European Union.

Another year of peaceful development is behind Slovenia, a year in the decade of success for this country. In these ten years Slovenia implemented economic, political and social changes, it transformed spiritually, created good relations with its neighbours and has established itself globally. Today, it is a country like any other democratic country of Europe, which it works successfully together with. We have been successful also due to the moral and political support of European institutions and organisations, as well as friendly countries. This year's events, local and presidential elections, and elections into the National Council, some of the proposed constitutional amendments, the completion of privatisation and its implementation in the banking and insurance sectors, are all part of the normal course of events in an orderly country and will not change its fundamental orientations. For these orientations are anchored more deeply in the very decision for an independent Slovenian state and are therefore long-term in their very purpose.

As a stable, democratic and credible state, Slovenia is now well on the road towards entering the European Union and NATO. If our expectations come true – and I expect quite justifiably that they will – then this will be Slovenia's final step into the common and safe future of Europe and its primary integrations, towards its rights and obligations within these integrations. Slovenia wants to take part in the strengthening and development of the values underpinning the idea of European integration. The democratic dialogue between government and civil society will surely increase the Slovenian public's support for EU and NATO accession, as well as the willingness for us as a state and as a community of citizens to take on the obligations brought on by that membership. I therefore believe that along with the high consensus among parliamentary parties the citizens, too, will opt in favour of such a future at a referendum.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I should like, at this occasion, to thank you most sincerely for your work and through that work for the good relations between Slovenia and the countries you represent. I wish you every satisfaction with your achievements, also when we will be closing the year 2002. It is on this note that I will raise a toast with you today to the prosperity of your countries, to Slovenia, to our safe and successful future together.