Slovenian president confers on High Representative of the European Union Dr Solana the Order for Exceptional Services in the diplomatic and international field
Brdo by Kranj, 09/27/2004 | press release
 At the castle of Brdo pri Kranju today, Slovenian President Dr. Janez Drnovšek conferred on the High Representative of the European Union for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Dr Javier Solana Madariaga the decoration of the Order for Exceptional Services in the diplomatic and international field.
 President Drnovšek decorated Dr Solana in recognition of his outstanding services and contribution towards the establishment, development and strengthening of relations being of importance for the international affirmation and integration of the Republic of Slovenia into Euro-Atlantic structures.
 Detailed explanation:
Dr Javier Solana Madariaga is High Representative of the European Union for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. Dr Javier Solana Madariaga has contributed to the success of the Republic of Slovenia in its integration and affirmation in Euro-Atlantic structures. Ties of personal friendship have been forged and statesmen’s relations established in the years of his co-operation with the Republic of Slovenia.
Dr Solana is an important political figure at the Spanish, European and international levels. During the time of Slovenia’s accession negotiations, Dr Solana, at that time Spain’s foreign minister, played an important role for Slovenia. He helped in the conclusion of the “Spanish Compromise” that was the condition for Slovenia’s conclusion of the association agreement with the European Union. In Dr Javier Solana Madariaga, Slovenia has found a great friend and ally, who with his rich experience contributed to Slovenia’s successful entry into the European Union.
 Dr Solana left the post of Head of the Spanish diplomacy to take office as Secretary General of NATO.
During this time, Slovenia co-operated with NATO in the Partnership for Peace Programme.
In 1999, Dr Solana took up the post of the first High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy with which the European Union leaders wished to strengthen its foreign policy activity.
As one of the leading European statesmen, Dr Solana has always been in favour of a stable, secure and developed Europe. He has been a great advocate of the historical necessity of the enlargement of the European Union and entry of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe into the European Union, whereby the principal goal is consolidation of peace, stability and a reliable future for Europe and the world. For Dr Solana, forging of the Common Foreign and Security Policy is an indispensable process ensuring a more stable and secure Europe and consolidating Europe’s position in the world. Dr Solana will be recorded in history as a great advocate of European integration and of the enhancement of European identity, and in particular, of the foreign policy and defence component of the European Union.
The year 2004 is of historic importance for the Republic of Slovenia since through membership of NATO and of the European Union, Slovenia has attained significant foreign policy objectives, a firmer establishment in the European and Euro-Atlantic area and a strengthened role. And Dr Javier Solana Madariaga has contributed a great deal to the realisation of this success. The highest national decoration, The Order for Exceptional Services, is therefore the acknowledgement and gratitude expressed by the Slovene state for everything Dr Javier Solana Madariaga has done to the benefit of the Republic of Slovenia, and encouragement for further co-operation.
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