NEWS

Prime Minister Borut Pahor: 'Twenty years ago, dreams were allowed; today, dreams are necessary.'

The prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, tonight attended the main ceremony organised on Police Day and Slovenia's 20th anniversary of independence, which took place at the Holmec former border crossing. In his speech, Prime Minister Pahor stressed that while dreams were allowed twenty years ago, they are necessary today. In today's challenging world, nations large and small can thus progress into the future only if they strive for it, yearn for it and strongly believe in it, stressed Prime Minister Pahor. Slovenians are a small yet sturdy nation who have achieved a great deal in their two decades of independence, and therefore enjoy huge respect among the countries of the world.

 

Prime Minister Pahor went on to say that Slovenians strive for peace and friendly neighbourly relations as well as a decent standard of living based on honest toil. We want more truth and justice; we want a fairer society in which we can freely develop our personal and national characteristics. And if we are to make these wishes come true, we need to change certain things; however, this cannot all be done overnight. 'Our dear Slovenia is all too familiar with the desire for the subjugation of its opponents rather than wishing for the victory of its allies. There is too much intolerance and desire for revenge, and too little reconciliation and willingness to forgive. There is too much readiness for mediocrity and too little inspiration for excellence. There is too much doubt and distrust and too little self-confidence and mutual encouragement,' stressed the Prime Minister. However, as Pahor said, Slovenians are increasingly aware of the fact that, although we are linked with the modern world, we depend mainly on ourselves. We are once again beginning to believe in success stories, but this is a slow process as quite a few of the changes over the last twenty years have been changes for the worse and not for the better for many people. 'However, if we manage to reassure ourselves and if we prove through our actions that we want to overcome the crisis – then the will to go through a renaissance rarely witnessed in our national history will spark once again in our eyes,' assured Prime Minister Pahor.

 

In his speech, Prime Minister Pahor pointed out the fact that we must remain aware, not only because of the past, but especially because of the understanding of the present, and the future perspective, that great changes were always first a concept in the mind of brave individuals and small minorities; only afterwards did they take their place in society and change the spirit of the times. The idea of Slovenia as an independent country was also born in spasms of severe doubt and criticism of the majority as, at first, this concept appeared to exceed the realms of possibility. Nevertheless, 'Pučnik, Bučar, Oman, Janša, Bavčar, Rupel, Kučan, Drnovšek, both Hribars, Šuštar and others managed to turn the great idea of an independent country into our shared idea,' stressed Borut Pahor.

 

The prime minister concluded his speech by reiterating that we depend on each individual and on whether the groups of individual can again develop ideas which will fascinate the nation and lead us forward. 'Because each and every one of us has one or more characteristics which make us good. If we can allow each personality, each individual to develop his or her talent to the level of excellence, his and her victory will be a success for everyone. Each of us possesses some of the courage required, without which the overcoming of our personal and joint barriers would not be possible. His or her talent and courage are our common talents and courage. All Slovenia has are the outstanding charms of its country and the abilities of its people,' stressed the Prime Minister and added that he sees Slovenia as solidary yet competent, and fairer yet not egalitarian. 'I see Slovenia as a reconciled country allowing people the right to have different perspectives on the past and the future. I see a Slovenia striving for victory yet still able to reassure itself in defeat. I see an ambitious Slovenia, not satisfied with crumbs of progress, but entering the future with daring steps. I see a Slovenia in which everyone can realise their potential, and develop their talents and identities, without making others feel at risk. I see Slovenia overcoming the fear of change but unwilling to take every change as being wholly good. I see a Slovenia which remains strongly socially coherent and nationally aware. I see a Slovenia which respects itself and is respected throughout the world. I can sense such a future and I want it for myself, for you, for my child and for your children, and for all those across the world who dream the same dream,' said Prime Minister Pahor, concluding his ceremonial speech.