President Drnovšek arrives in Bolivia

Ljubljana, 01/20/2006 | press release

Slovenian president Dr Janez Drnovšek, who is to attend the inauguration of the new Bolivian president, Evo Morales Aime, today arrived in La Paz, where he was greeted at the airport with full state honours.

In a short address to senior Bolivian state representatives, President Drnovšek emphasised that his arrival in Bolivia also signalled the symbolic establishment of closer ties between Slovenes and Bolivians who, though they were on opposite sides of the world and had such differing histories, were brought together above all by a common future.

For Drnovšek, the election of Evo Morales represented a historical turning point for Bolivia, and one which also marked a desire on the part of the people of Bolivia to formulate their own goals on the way to a better, richer and more dignified life. The Bolivian people are modest and hardworking, and more just and successful exploitation of the country's natural wealth could help them secure a better life. President Drnovšek also stressed that Slovenia and Bolivia had a large number of common interests that could be realised within international organisations and institutions.

On Saturday 21 January, President Drnovšek will attend the inauguration celebrations, which will take place in the form of a traditional Bolivian Indian ceremony. He will then attend the official inauguration on Sunday. The celebrations already look like being a huge event, with the arriving dignitaries being greeted and welcomed by crowds of people lining the route into La Paz from the airport.