 | Following the invitation of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Duke of Edinburgh arrived on a state visit to Slovenia today. The President of the Republic and his spouse Barbara Miklič Türk welcomed the royal couple at Brdo pri Kranju, where the President and the Queen examined the honour guard lined up in honour of the Queen, and saluted the flag of Slovenia.
The President of the Republic with his spouse and the Queen with her spouse focused in their talks on the relationships between the Republic of Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. They mentioned also the natural beauties of Slovenia, the process of globalisation, environment protection and some other topics.
The discussion of both state couples was followed by the exchange of decorations and gifts. The President of Slovenia awarded the British monarch the Order for Exceptional Services in recognition of her efforts towards developing and strengthening friendly relations between the two countries, and of her contribution to strengthening world peace as well as of numerous humanitarian acts. Queen Elizabeth awarded her Slovenian host the decoration Knight Grand Cross, order "The Most Honourable Order of the Bath".
As a gift from the Slovenian President, Queen Elizabeth received a tea set of Catbriyur porcelain, while the Duke of Edinburgh received the Great Heraldic Book by Janez Vajkard Valvasor. President of the Republic, Dr Danilo Türk received from the Queen a collection of drawings by Hans Holbein from the Royal Library in the Windsor Castle. The spouse of the President of the Republic, Barbara Miklič Türk, was presented a memorial case with British crown insignia, together with a signed portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Afterwards in Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana, Queen Elizabeth II attended a musical production of the British International School in Ljubljana and the pupils of Dr Vito Kraigher Primary School in Ljubljana titled “Džungel Jangle”. Meanwhile, Prince Philip visited a British Council workshop held in the same hotel and titled “Future City Game” whose participants sought creative ideas to improve the quality of living in the city.
In the evening this was followed by a gala dinner organised in the Brdo Castle Crystal Hall in the honour of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh by the President of the Republic, Dr Danilo Türk, and his spouse Barbara Miklič Türk.
In his toast, the President said how honoured he was to be able to welcome the Queen as the President of Slovenia on her first visit to our country. He declared that the visit was a confirmation of the excellent relations between the two nations bonded by friendship, whose history and quality inspire respect. The President added that the history of these relations was marked by a very specific and sophisticated developments, among which was the admission to the London Royal Society in 1688 of the Slovenian scientist, artist, technician and soldier Janez Vajkard Valvasor; similarly refined connections may also be found in other areas, especially in Slovenian cultural history. President Dr Danilo Türk said that Slovenia values a decisive contribution made in the previous century by the United Kingdom to the peace and harmony in Europe, and is aware of a crucial role which the country played at the end of the past decade in resolving crises in the region and in recognising Slovenia. The President concluded by stressing that the political, economic and cultural cooperation between Slovenia and the United Kingdom has solid foundations, and expressed his belief that the mutual relations would continue to be excellent.
In her speech made at the formal dinner, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II congratulated Slovenia for a successful presidency to the European Union and underlined a close cooperation of both countries in this active period. The Queen commended on the achievements of the young country of Slovenia and stressed that Slovenians made a great contribution to the life in Europe - in art, science and literature. Queen Elizabeth II especially emphasised a generous contribution of Slovenia to humanitarian and peace missions in the international space. She also expressed her belief that the relations between Slovenia and the United Kingdom would continue to develop successfully. |