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Prime Minister Borut Pahor attends the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Biology

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, this evening attended the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Biology held at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, where he addressed the participants. By way of introduction, Prime Minister Pahor said that Slovenia is to find a niche where it could be successful. “Time is running incredibly fast,” cautioned the Prime Minister adding “if, at the time of rapid changes, we do not find our way, others will decide about us”.

 

(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/SPA)

 

He continued by saying that “we will stand and withstand insofar as we are able to through our knowledge", since Slovenia has no military power, rich natural resources, nor is an economic superpower. “We, however, have human resources. And if we are able to develop talents - irrespective of social and other differences among our children - and later bring them to the cutting edge of science, we have the future of great nations”, stressed the Prime Minister. The 21st century will be very demanding and full of changes led by scientific trends. “We can not be a driving force in the scientific world, maybe not everywhere, certainly not everywhere; however, there might be niches where we can be the first, but we have to strive for ubiquitous excellence”, said Prime Minister Pahor, adding that the training of young researches and experts as well as the transfer of new knowledge into practice are very important. This is also the aim of the Government, which is reflected in the national higher educational programme and the research and innovation strategy of Slovenia, which are planned by the Government in long-term, by 2020.