The President of the Republic receives the President of the International Red Cross Committee

Ljubljana, 19.2.2008  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, receives today the President of the International Red Cross Committee, Jakob Kellenberger. At the reception for the Red Cross Municipal Boards, which followed the meeting, President Türk underlined that the principles established by the International Red Cross Committee had been followed for almost 150 years and observed in all crisis situations. “The world has seen many wars, catastrophes, humanitarian tragedies and it is the neutrality, independence and discretion of the Red Cross that helped in all these tragedies. In time, the vitality of these principles has been confirmed, leaving us with a heritage which we must respect. This also applies to Slovenia which, with its armed forces, increasingly contributes to peace keeping operations and is politically engaged in the decision-making processes in international crisis,” stressed the President of the Republic. He also mentioned that Slovenia had a long history of the Red Cross movement. According to Dr Türk, this movement has gained much respect among the citizens and is one of the key elements making up the organisation of our civil society.

The President of the International Red Cross Committee, Jakob Kellenberger, expressed his pleasure at having had the opportunity to meet the President of the Republic of Slovenia. “For me and for the International Red Cross Committee, it is very important to know that your President, as well as the Slovenian Presidency, place great importance on the international humanitarian law. And again, it is very important for us that the protection of the rights of children and assistance to those in need is listed among the priority areas of the Slovenian Presidency. This, of course, is also one of our priority areas and we are very pleased that you, too, have selected it,” said Mr Kellenberger. He assessed the cooperation with the Slovenian Red Cross as very good.