NEWS

New Year’s Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor

Dear fellow Slovenians,
dear citizens,
 
On the occasion of the last year's Constitutionality Day Ceremony, when mentioning the issue of how to overcome the great global economic crisis, I wished to be able to quote as soon as possible the words by Sir Winston Churchill that he spoke following heavy defeats by allied forces, but also following the first true rays of hope for victory in World War II, which were: "This is not the end; it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning". Today, a year later, I have good reasons to proudly let you know that the economic crisis is not over yet and that this is not the end; it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, for sure, the end of its beginning. In 2009, Slovenia survived the worst blow by the recession, however, in the year which is coming to its close, it has started a slow but certain process of economic and social recovery.

   

Through strong social policy measures taken over a two-year period of crisis, we managed to maintain a relatively high degree of social cohesion. As early as this year, we started taking relevant decisions to reinforce the competitiveness of the economy, since this is the only way to ensure a long-term and sustainable prosperity growth for all our citizens. In this regard, Slovenia has already begun with structural reforms aimed at safeguarding its place in the monetary, political and economic group of the most dynamic European countries, in the medium- and long-term perspective.

    

Several measures aimed at reducing the cost of labour, boosting the labour market dynamic, minimizing public spending and ensuring sustainability of the pension and health budget do not seem to be popular.  However, they are equally inevitable if we are to progress in terms of development for the common good. The Government is determined to draw up and adopt such measures. Hand in hand with the parliamentary majority, the Government is ready to tackle them and take full responsibility for them. By no means does it wish to put this responsibility on the back of its citizens, unless they wish so. In any case, on the eve of the decisive and perhaps a break-through year 2011, I may, as a Prime Minister and as a father, say: »the way we will make our bed is the way our children will have to lie in it«.

   

The coming year may as well be a break-through year. Inasmuch as this depends on us alone, I wish for ourselves to have enough reason and courage, and also to show a bit more of mutual trust and encouragement. My best wishes.