Toast by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, at a Formal Luncheon in honour of His Excellency the President of the Swiss Confederation Prof. Dr Joseph Deiss
Brdo by Kranj, 06/21/2004 | speech
Your Excellency Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
It is a great honour and privilege for me to welcome the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Jospeh Deiss, and his delegation here among us today. Slovenia and Switzerland traditionally enjoy very good relations. Today's august visit is yet another step towards the further strengthening of our ties of friendship and cooperation.
Slovenia and Switzerland share many similar traits and interests, the most characteristic of which are the Alps, connecting our two countries in the same geographic region. We are linked by mountaineering and a unique disposition towards nature and cultural heritage. Both our countries assert their responsible attitude towards the Alps and all-round concern for sustainable development within the Alpine Convention.
The recent enlargement of the European Union allowed European countries to make a step forward towards deepening and enhancing their cooperation. Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, our integration is of import for our bilateral relations as well. The traditional ties between Switzerland and European Union member states, which include Slovenia as of the 1st of May this year, offer new possibilities for expanding our cooperation and deepening our links in various fields.
I am particularly pleased that the visiting delegation also includes representatives of the Swiss business sector, for there are certainly numerous possibilities for expanding the scope of our economic cooperation. In some areas such cooperation is already well established and we are pleased to note an upward trend in trade. Novartis and Lek offer a good example of such economic cooperation. In the future we must make sure to place sufficient emphasis on promoting direct contacts between Swiss and Slovene entrepreneurs, investors and tourism executives, as well as enhancing cooperation between our scientific and research institutions.
It is namely direct contacts between our people and the mutual exploring of tradition, culture and language that best bring two countries close together. I am hopeful that the already well-developed Slovene-Swiss cooperation in education and culture would grow deeper and stronger in years to come. Switzerland is well known for its respect of linguistic and cultural diversity. We note with great pleasure that Slovenes who found their new homeland in Switzerland during the nineteen-sixties and seventies, people who form a living bridge between our two countries, also enjoy such treatment.
Both of our relatively small countries, Slovenia and Switzerland, have joined hands in several initiatives aimed at providing security and stability in a wider international context. It is precisely through multilateral cooperation that smaller states can contribute most to the international community. Allow me to take this opportunity to express the respect we feel for Switzerland for its outstanding achievements in economic development and in strengthening and protecting the values of human rights and democracy both domestically and on an international plane.
Distinguished Mr President,
I am certain that the bonds between our two countries, securely anchored in our common traditions and values, will enable our cooperation and our common vision of the future to contribute to enhanced stability and security in Europe and around the world.
Mister President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I propose a toast to friendship between our countries and their peoples, to our common future and to all of you, dear friends.