The toast of the President of the Republic of Slovenia on the occasion of the official visit of Prince Albert of Monaco
Brdo by Kranj, 05/31/2006 | press release
The President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Janez Drnovšek hosted official dinner at the Brdo Castle in honor of Prince Albert of Monaco and proposed a toast to his guest:
"It is a matter of great honour and profound satisfaction, Your Serene Highness, that I am able to welcome you to the Republic of Slovenia today. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy a most pleasant visit, and that you will return to your country with pleasant memories of your stay in Slovenia.
Your first visit represents a historical milestone in relations between our countries that I am sure will strengthen mutual cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
I would like to offer my thanks that on your first visit you have paid particular attention to economic matters, as there are undoubtedly a wide range of under-utilised opportunities in this field. A number of important Monegasque business leaders have today met some of their Slovenian counterparts at a business conference, and I am confident that this will bear fruit, and that this will be a platform for further development of cooperation to the benefit of both Monaco and Slovenia.
At the multi-lateral level we will continue cooperation within
La Francophonie, the United Nations, Council of Europe and the OSCE.
I would like to mention the efforts and work of the Republic of Slovenia's Honorary Consul in Monaco, Marc Lecourt, who has done much to strengthen amicable relations between our countries.
I am most pleased that Monaco has decided to open a consulate in Slovenia, headed by an honorary consul. I see this as an expression of Monaco's desire to strengthen relations between our countries.
The Principality of Monaco and the Republic of Slovenia share a large number of points in common. They are both small Mediterranean states, with a small coastline and beautiful mountains, where the only feature of great size are the heavens above. Yet they are also linked by many common values such as peace, respect for human rights, concern for nature conservation and sustainable development, the eradication of poverty, and offer assistance to people who are suffering in the world's crisis areas.
Please allow me, Your Serene Highness, to express my assurance that Slovenia deeply respects your commitment to peace, and your humane vision of a better world without poverty. We particularly esteem the support your principality offers to many humanitarian causes that contribute to development, peace and prosperity around the globe. It gives us great pleasure to note that your delegation includes Peter Pavel Opeka, a missionary of Slovenian origin whom you and many of your fellow countrymen and women have supported for many years as he has carried out remarkable humanitarian activities in Madagascar. Over the many years he has worked there with your support, the poorest people of Madagascar have not only improved their living conditions, but have also made great progress in education and healthcare.
Monaco and Slovenia share a common concern for the provision of rapid and effective assistance in the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur. The sensitivity and responsiveness of both countries to the most vulnerable in Darfur has raised global awareness of the severity and extent of the crisis, and advanced international efforts to improve the most testing conditions there as soon as possible.
I and many others in Slovenia admire your personal courage, which has brought you much success in demanding international sporting competition, and has more recently even taken you to the North Pole. This was not only the completion of the plans of your eminent ancestor, Albert I, father of oceanography and a distinguished explorer, but was also an excellent way in which to draw attention to the dangers threatening our planet due to the damage being done to its natural balance, damage that has led to the deeply perturbing phenomena of climate change.
As a maritime and Mediterranean country, Slovenia greatly appreciates Your Serene Highness's efforts to continue the Monegasque tradition of oceanographic expeditions, research and conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. I would very much like to thank you for the consideration you have shown towards Slovenia in the field of nature conservation and maintaining biodiversity. Many successful projects have taken place with the support of your principality on the Slovenian coast, in the Triglav National Park, and in other mountainous areas of Slovenia.
Allow me please, Your Serene Highness, to propose a toast in your honour, to the strengthening of mutual friendship between our countries and the prosperity of their peoples, and to our shared contribution to peace and justice around the world."