Slovenian president confers on Commissioner Verheugen the Order for Exceptional Services in the diplomatic and international field
Brdo by Kranj, 06/01/2004 | press release
At the castle of Brdo pri Kranju today, Slovenian President Dr. Janez Drnovšek conferred on the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Günter Verheugen, the decoration of the Order for Exceptional Services in the diplomatic and international field. President Drnovšek decorated Commissioner Verheugen for his exceptional services and contribution in establishing, developing and strengthening relations that were important for the international establishment and involvement of the Republic of Slovenia in European integrations.
In a brief address which followed the decoration ceremony, the Slovenian President expressed his pleasure at conferring such a high Slovenian distinction on Mr. Günter Verheugen, with whom he had cooperated in the very complex processes of Slovenia’s approximation to the EU. Together we went through various critical periods, through various difficulties, and together we brought the process of approximation to a successful conclusion, stated the Slovenian President, who added:
"I would like to stress that enlargement is the greatest achievement of the European Union in recent times. The acceptance of ten new members is an extraordinary step forward. Many doubted whether it would even be possible to carry this out so quickly. And today many people still have doubts about whether the European Union will be able to function successfully after enlargement. We are convinced that with its new members the European Union will also acquire a new dimension, and a new quality. Together we will create a new Europe and a new future. There are still many challenges before us, but today we can look back with satisfaction at this recent period and also with satisfaction we can recognise once again that we passed through a very important period and that together we achieved much. May I express once again my great pleasure that I have been able today to confer this decoration on Mr. Verheugen, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank him for his high-quality and professional work during the period of enlargement. I would thank him for work that is not just appreciated by us in Slovenia, but also elsewhere in Europe,” said President Drnovšek.
In his address, Commissioner Günter Verheugen expressed his gratitude for the honour and trust invested in him. He pointed out that he also regards this decoration as recognition for all his dedicated and skilled associates, without whom this most ambitious political project in the history of the European Union would not have been carried out successfully. Mr. Verheugen went on to express his respect for those with whom he was in contact in Slovenia and with whom he cooperated during the approximation period, and made special mention of the Slovenian President, with whom he cooperated closely when Dr. Drnovšek was Prime Minister, the former Slovenian President, members of the government, the core negotiation team and members of parliament. He underlined that cooperation was not always easy, but it was effective and successful. Commissioner Verheugen added: “For me Slovenia has a special importance, for this country is very close to my heart. It is a wonderful country of very talented people, which I could label the jewel in Europe’s crown. Slovenia is a success story and as such it represents an incentive to other countries of the former Yugoslavia. Those countries can learn from Slovenia’s experiences that whether or not they join the European family depends on the efforts of the country itself. The door remains open to the other countries in the region. I am pleased that we will soon be able to confer on Croatia the status of candidate country. Membership in the EU is a feasible, realistic goal also for the other countries of the region. As far as possible, we will support them in the reform processes, and I think that it is most important now for us to formulate a clear and credible strategy of enlargement in the Western Balkans, which will offer new promise to these countries,” stressed Commissioner Verheugen in his speech of thanks.
In closing he added that this was his last official visit in the role of Enlargement Commissioner, and that Slovenia would no longer be within his jurisdiction. “I lost something and gained something. I gained a new colleague, Commissioner Janez Potočnik, with whom I am cooperating very well,” added Mr. Verheugen, who wished Slovenia a successful future in Europe.