| Upon the invitation of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk, Slovenia was visited, on the occasion of the Slovenian Statehood Day and the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence, by the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Heinz Fischer, and his wife Margit Fischer; by the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano; by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipović, and his wife Dr. Tatjana Josipović; and the President of the Republic of Hungary, Dr. Pál Schmitt.
President Dr. Danilo Türk hosted a lunch for the presidents of the neighbouring countries at Ljubljana Castle. In his toast at the lunch, President Türk pointed out that independence and sovereignty were the values Slovenes had fought for, and finally won, not with an intent to isolate, but rather to become friends with all the neighbouring, European, and world nations.
"We are pleased that today, at the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence, we can host the presidents of our neighbouring countries at a friendly lunch. We have done many good things together, and we have showed the way how mutual issues should be resolved," said President Türk. According to Türk, joint efforts for cooperation and mutual respect is a strong potential to build a better Europe and a better world.
After lunch the presidents, President Türk, and the Mayor of Ljubljana Zoran Janković, took a stroll around Ljubljana’s Old Town.
In the evening the distinguished guests attended the central ceremony in celebration of the Slovenian Statehood Day and the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence at Kongresni Trg in Ljubljana, which was addressed by honorary speaker, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk. |