Addresses

Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia

Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA

In every nation’s history there are milestone moments and decisions that its people recall with confidence and pride. The decision for independence that the Slovenian population made clear at the plebiscite is certainly one such historic decision. Milestone events that led up to it should continue to inspire us in our current and future considerations. They are an inspiration for the next 25 years.

25 years ago the people made a change for the better. And it is the people themselves who can make a change for the better over our next 25 years. Therefore, on this important anniversary, as President of the Republic, I call on all of us to invest more in human relations, mutual understanding, and respect. Let us strive each and every day to do better – as individuals and as a community – regardless of our differences. Let Slovenia be the homeland of us all. Only this way will we rise to meet the expectations imposed on us by the decision reached at the plebiscite and together successfully defy the challenges of the future.

  

Dr Milan Brglez, President of the National Assembly

Dr Milan Brglez, President of the National Assembly
Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA

Today, as we look back to 25 years ago, we may once again say with certainty that we were right. We were right to opt for a state of our own, and we were right when six months later we proclaimed and defended that state. With these actions we committed ourselves to realising the centuries-old dream of countless Slovenians, who had longed for their own state but sadly did not live to see it. For their sake, our own sake, and for the sake of future generations we must govern our state with full responsibility and a full heart.

Yet, the state is its people and it is therefore crucial that in difficult times we stand together, since only with joint efforts will we be able to overcome even the most daunting challenges. Above all we must have faith in ourselves, just like in 1990, when many in the international community doubted that we would succeed. Yet, we knew that history was ours and that fortune favours the brave. We were brave then and it is vital that we are brave today as well.

  

Dr Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia

Dr Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
Photo: Danijel Novakovič/STA

Slovenians gradually gained their independence, both politically and as a nation, over the past few centuries in highly complex and often turbulent, even military circumstances. I recall with pride the year 1991, when we finally succeeded. It turned out that we could no longer play a subordinate role in the context of a broader state, particularly when that state’s government was authoritarian and as such alienated from the vital interests of the Slovenian nation.

Only a quarter of a century since we gained our independence, we are slowly realising again how important it is to be good stewards of our own land and to curb our own greed. Likewise, we are slowly recognising again that we must elevate our political and legal culture, thus creating a suitable environment for successful economic, cultural, and social progress. Only with success will we show our true respect to our country and above all to future generations, thus setting an example and giving them an opportunity to lead a decent life.