President of the Republic receives the mayor of Dolenjske Toplice and president of the Society of Kočevar OIld Settlers from Dolenjske Toplice. The Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia was present at the talks
Ljubljana, 03/16/2006 | press release
In line with their agreement, the President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Janez Drnovšek again met with the mayor of the municipality of Dolenjske Toplice, Franc Vovk, and the president of the Society of Kočevar Old Settlers (Gottscheer Altsiedler Verein, Krapflern), August Gril. The Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia, Dr. Pogovoru Valentin Inzko, was also present at the talks.
The mayor and president of the society accepted the President of the Republic’s offer from the last joint discussions, held on 2 March 2006. They believed that it is useful for relations between them personally and between municipalities and for the future work and development of the municipality of Dolenjske Toplice and the Society of Kočevar Old Settlers that they strive individually and together for such cooperation, which will be directed at the future and will strengthen, deepen and develop both the common and the individual interests of the inhabitants of the municipality, including the descendents of the Kočevar old settlers.
They regretted if past insufficiently considered or mistakenly understood statements or behaviour or even possible bureaucratic impracticality, on different occasions and in various circumstances, had affected or insulted anyone at any time. The mayor of Dolenjske Toplice and the president of the Society of Kočevar Old Settlers will in the future, within their powers and within the framework of their competencies, contribute to cooperation between them, between the municipal administration, the municipal council and the society, and between citizens of the municipality and the descendents of the Kočevar old settlers taking place in a spirit of tolerance, on the basis of argument, constructively and with understanding on both sides and respect for human dignity. The mayor and the members of the society will strive within the framework of the municipality and the Republic of Slovenia to include individual projects in development plans, which will improve the conditions of life, work and habitation and the satisfaction of the common needs of all citizens, including citizens descended from the Kočevar old settlers. Special care will also be devoted to greater prominence for the cultural and historical heritage of the Kočevar old settlers in the tourist and cultural offer of the municipality and region.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, at the conclusion of the talks with the mayor of Dolenjske Toplice and the president of the Society of Kočevar Old Settlers, stressed that the Kočevars and their descendents are today constitutionally equal citizens, who have made an important historical and cultural contribution to the development of the municipality and Slovenia, that many also suffered and that in the past much injustice was done to them. This fact cannot and should not be overlooked. The democratic arrangement of the Republic of Slovenia and our membership of the European Union do not allow today that the Kočevar old settlers in Slovenia, for various reasons feel deprived or even second class citizens. They must be enabled to enjoy and satisfy their individual interests and rights. In modern Slovenia, we wish co-habitation, co-existence, respect for our rights and thus in this case also respecting the traditions, culture and language of the old settlers, the Kočevars. Slovenia is also bound to this by ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Austria on cooperation in culture, education and science.
The President of the Republic is sure that not all possibilities and opportunities have to date been made use of on the state level and in connection with implementation of inter-state agreements (on the part of neither the Kočevars, or German speaking ethnic group, nor the Slovene state). The Association of Cultural Societies of the German Speaking Communities in Slovenia, which includes the Society of Kočevar Old Settlers, must exploit and enforce these legal possibilities. The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Austria must responsibly encourage these possibilities among associations of the German speaking ethnic community in Slovenia, since the are bound to this by the Cultural Agreement. It is not possible to shift responsibility for difficulties in the operation of individual societies of the German speaking community onto municipalities and local communities. The task of municipalities and local communities is to resolve local matters and the interests of the local inhabitants and to ensure human dignity and worthwhile conditions for the life of all citizens, including the Kočevars, or representatives of the German speaking community.
We must remember that it is the constitutional duty of Slovenes and Kočevars, or the German speaking ethnic community, together to preserve the cultural heritage, and linguistic and cultural diversity. The richness of co-existence and the valuing diversity on all levels can be additional stimulation to good relations among our own citizens and also to the international reputation of the country. This is of great importance if we are to help create possibilities for harmonious civilisational and cultural development and for the progress of the State, of Slovenes, Kočevars and all other national and ethnic groups in Slovenia.
The President of the Republic found with satisfaction that wisdom, understanding and a culture of tolerant co-existence prevailed at today's meeting. This can be our greatest capital in personal and human relationships. However, there must be awareness that this is not the end of the work. In the opinion of the President of the Republic, the hard work is only now starting if we want through concrete steps to convince also others, above local citizens, members of societies of the German speaking community and the domestic and foreign public. The President of the Republic is sure that the time has come for new opportunities of cooperation between the majority and minorities in Slovenia, for tolerant relations between people, which momentary weaknesses of dialogue between individuals cannot and must not hinder, or even prevent.