President Türk receives NATO Secretary General

Ljubljana, 7.5.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today received NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who had just arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Slovenia. After being received with military honours, Mr de Hoop Scheffer had a tête-à-tête meeting with Dr Türk encompassing an exchange of views on Slovenia's experience as a NATO member and issues pertaining to the Alliance’s further development in the current global security environment.

In addition, President Türk conferred the Order for Exceptional Services on Mr de Hoop Scheffer for his work in strengthening international peace and security. The conferment of the Order derives from Mr de Hoop Scheffer's strong support of Slovenia in taking over the rights and obligations of a full NATO member, particularly during the initial years of Slovenia's activity in the Alliance. NATO operations in our immediate vicinity, in the Western Balkans, are of particular importance to Slovenia. Throughout his term of office as NATO Secretary General, Mr de Hoop Scheffer was involved in the efforts of the international community to bring peace, security and stability to the Western Balkans. In his capacity as NATO Secretary General, and through his determination and commitment, Mr de Hoop Scheffer has significantly contributed to the additional consolidation of the Alliance, which, as one of the most important regional security organisations, can take effective action not only to defend its member countries, but also to resolve international crises wherever they arise.

In his address, Dr Türk pointed out that exceptional times called for exceptional personalities and leaders. In recent years, NATO and global security have indeed faced exceptional times, requiring a high level of leadership on the part of the organisation, said Dr Türk, recalling the action taken by NATO outside its territory, which was an important change gaining full momentum during Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s term of office. He added that NATO had thus affirmed its role as a key factor in world peace and security. Dr Türk noted that every NATO member country, as well as the United Nations and people all over the world who strive to maintain international peace and security, was grateful to Mr de Hoop Scheffer for his contribution. The Secretary General is concluding his very successful term of office by welcoming two new NATO member countries, Croatia and Albania, into the Alliance. "There is no better reward for your successful work than a NATO enlargement of this kind," said Dr Türk, stressing that Mr de Hoop Scheffer will always have friends in Slovenia. "Here we understand and respect your contribution and would like to see you return to Slovenia even after your term of office as NATO Secretary General has come to an end," he concluded.

Mr de Hoop Scheffer expressed his thanks for the conferment of the Order and took the opportunity to congratulate Slovenia on being a staunch ally within NATO for five years now, highlighting the cooperation of Slovenian troops in NATO operations and missions, especially in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He also commended the Slovenian Armed Forces on the progress made since joining NATO: "The Slovenian troops are doing great work, and Slovenia has rapidly developed into a country exporting security and stability." He pointed to Slovenia as a success story, since despite being a small country Slovenia has secured its place as a full NATO member, taking part in political debates and military cooperation. Mr de Hoop Scheffer stated that he was convinced that Euro-Atlantic structures were a key factor in providing long-term security and stability in the region and beyond, adding that NATO’s door will also remain open to other countries meeting the obligations and commitments laid out in the Washington Treaty.

As part of his visit to Slovenia, Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer was also invited to the headquarters of the Force Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces, where he was given a presentation on the main achievements of the Slovenian Armed Forces in the process of integration into the Alliance forces.