Slovenia's President and the Vice-President of the Russian Federation on the significance of Slovene-Russian dialogue after Slovenia's entry into the EU
Ljubljana, 07/23/2004 | press release
The President of the Republic, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today received the Vice-Speaker of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mr Dimitriy Mezentsev, currently on a visit to Slovenia to attend the commemoration at the Russian Shrine on Sunday. Dr Drnovšek, by way of introduction, said he was pleased with the tradition of regular meetings held before commemorations at the Russian Shrine. Regular meetings between top-level representatives of Slovenia and the Russian Federation strengthen relations between the two countries, which are assessed by both as good and friendly. In Dr Drnovšek's words, enhancing comprehensive relations with Russia remains of great importance to Slovenia even after its entry into the EU. The entry of the new member states has brought a valuable Slavic component to the European Union.
Mr Mezentsev thanked Slovenia's President for the respects paid to the Russian victims by Slovenia in commemorations held every year at the Russian Shrine at Vršič. He emphasised the importance of cooperation of the two countries, in particular in the economic sphere, and said that there were still numerous opportunities to step up trade. He advocated the development of inter-regional cooperation and stressed the importance of improving the flow of information between the public of both countries, and the enhancement of their respective national identity, tradition and culture. At the end, Mr Mezentsev wished Slovenia every success in the European Union and hoped Slovenia would retain its identity.
President Drnovšek closed by saying that the good relations Slovenia enjoyed with Russia would contribute to preserving Slovenia's identity within the European Union; Dr Drnovšek said he hoped that the pace of bilateral relations established together with President Putin in several bilateral meetings would be continued. He asked Mr Mezentsev to convey his regards to President Putin, along with his wish for President Putin to visit Slovenia again.