Formal Address by the President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Janez Drnovšek on the occasion of Slovene National Day
Ljubljana, 06/24/2005 | speech
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are gathered again here today to celebrate the Day of Slovene statehood – the fourteenth in turn this time!
The Slovene state is still young, although the memory of the dramatic days of attaining independence are already somewhat remote. It is being replaced by a new present and new challenges; life goes on.
This is our holiday, though, and the Slovenes will celebrate it long after we are gone. It was on that very day that we proclaimed our own state and thus made the hundred-year dream of Slovene patriots come true.
We took a historic opportunity and, at a time when the political image of Europe was changing for the first time after the Second World War, we knew how to summon up sufficient soundness of judgement and courage to take the right decisions. In a world always regulated by big nations according to their standards, the Slovene nation managed to obtain a position on the world map of states. Something similar has not been achieved by many larger and economically successful nations and regions across the world. It is therefore appropriate we are aware of the fact that independence was not a mere matter of course and that it did not belong to us automatically.
However, I think that in the past fourteen years we have justified the existence of our state. Throughout this period we have been developing it in a positive way, achieving outstanding economic growth, relatively low unemployment and maintaining a relatively high level of social welfare. Very common are the assessments that Slovenia is a country that carried out the transition from a socialist to a market economy in the best way. In doing so, it has preserved social equilibrium in the best way too. There were also numerous scientific, cultural and sporting achievements as well.
Of course, we still have many problems, but who doesn't? We can go on solving them gradually and patiently through wise policies. In any case, we can achieve as much as we can and deserve to.
In its fourteen-year national history Slovenia has participated creatively in the management of world affairs. We are not unconcerned with the issues of global security, climatic change and the reduction of poverty
. We are aware of the interdependence of mankind, of our common destiny. Neither an individual, nor a nation can exclude itself from this interdependence. After all, even the biggest and strongest state cannot prosper without the others.
Slovenia is a serious player in the United Nations, and this year it is presiding over The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, where we are helping to resolve crisis situations around the world. Our soldiers and police officers participate in international peace-keeping operations from the Balkans to Afghanistan. In order to assure security for ourselves and others we joined the North Atlantic alliance. And what is probably most important of all – we joined the project of European integration. Here we see the chance for long-lasting peace in Europe. After centuries of European wars this would be an achievement of immense importance. And in a united Europe we see an opportunity for economic progress and a better life. We also perceive there an opportunity for improved human relations, better protection for the individual and minorities and greater respect for human life in general. We see in that a greater critical mass of conscientious people who care for mankind, the reduction of poverty and the preservation of an unpolluted natural environment.
Thus we participated very actively in Slovenia in drafting the new European Constitutional Treaty. We considered it an important step forward and supported it with full conviction. The European building has shaken badly in recent weeks. The citizens of two co-founder states of the European Union rejected the draft Constitutional Treaty at referenda. What happened? Has the European impetus been stopped? Have the goals of European integration become an issue?
Although today European citizens live better than ever before, they are still faced with numerous fears and are obviously seeking greater assurances for the future than that offered by European politicians. As there has been no war for over six decades they perhaps began to consider European peace as something self-evident. But in reality it is assured merely by the values on which European integration is based. These are stated in the European Constitution with the Human Rights Charter at the head.
Numerous citizens of the old European Union member states fear that its markets are too open and that it is too liberal. They see a threat to their jobs in competition from Asia and in the new member states too. And they fear further enlargements. They no longer see only an advantage in global capitalism. On the contrary, they feel ever more insecure. International corporations are closing down their plants and moving them to Eastern Europe or the Far East. The economies of certain leading European countries have already been making weak progress for several years and the feeling of crisis and concern for the future are increasing among their citizens. The fear of immigrants is increasing. Cultural and religious barriers, especially towards Muslim parts of the population remain great in certain places, new intolerance is awakening.
The possibilities of extreme policies both from the left and from the right are thus very great indeed. After long years in power, moderate, rational politicians have, in many places, lost credibility and citizens no longer accept even their sound propositions. It often happens that politicians seek to strengthen confidence at home on account of the European Union. They fight for national interests and will no longer pay as much as before into the Brussels budget. Consequently, less money will be available for common European policies and for the new member states.
However, these are not the correct answers. A smaller Europe will not solve the problems of some member states. The limitation of free flows of labour, capital and services could, in the short run, save some jobs, but in the long run, it would cause the loss of many more. The European Union can stand on an equal footing in global economic relations only if it stays united. Encouraging more rapid development in the new member states will be beneficial also for the old member states as it has been up to now.
If Europe wants to continue to be economically successful and provide jobs as well as a high standard of living and social welfare for its citizens, it will simply have to encourage competitiveness and economic freedom. In worldwide competition with other giants the only way to succeed is through faster technological development, providing more knowledge and better resourcefulness. Hence deriving a stronger influence could be directed to finding solutions for global challenges such as the climatic threat, security and eliminating poverty, for freedom and peace.
And it will not escape from the danger of Islamisation by closing frontiers and halting enlargement. Islam is already in Europe and a coexistence will have to be achieved on the basis of universal values and human rights. If the European Union does not succeed in doing so, who will?
Even if we encounter obstacles, we have to persevere along this path. In democracy, sometimes things do occur at a slower pace, but they cannot go astray for long. With patience and an awareness of being on the right path we can rectify an error; a standstill. Let us create new confidence in Europe. There is no better world for the time being.
All this holds true for Slovenia as well. We are seeking new economic avenues too. We want to be even more successful and have social security. Both are feasible and not contradictory goals. The most competitive are several European countries that also have the maximum social solidarity. We can be the same.
Let us set free our creativity and educate ourselves. Let us implement our knowledge in the right way. Let us be ambitious, let us be bold. Right now we have cutting-edge technology enterprises on a global scale – and we can have more of the same.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is nice to be successful in material gain. This does not suffice for a full life, though, especially if there are people living in distress in our neighbourhood who cannot make it alone. Help them and therefore we can help ourselves. Let us support the activities of numerous individuals, groups and associations who through their humanitarian activities alleviate the lives of children and the elderly, sick and poor. There is an apparent contrast between competitive entrepreneurship and solidarity – but only an apparent one. Greater efficiency enables greater solidarity. But only when people do not focus their values and their lives purely on profit and material goods – when they know that material goods are a mere prerequisite. However, a quality life is more than that. A well-balanced society is full of creative tensions and contrasts but tranquil in the social sense as all its citizens can lead a decent life.
If we achieve this goal in Slovenia we can say with an easy conscience that we are truly proud of our State.
Dear citizens,
dear inhabitants of Slovenia,
dear Slovenes, living across the borders and elsewhere throughout the world,
May I congratulate you on the occasion of the Day of Slovene Statehood. I wish you the most creative, peaceful and pleasant life in the time ahead. May each and every one of you and all of us together find the right answers to the challenges of the present and the future!
May there be many years ahead for the State of Slovenia!