NEWS

Prime Minister Janez Janša meets Cardinal Angelo Sodano

In Kobarid, the Slovenian Prime Minister, Janez Janša, today met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who is currently paying a private visit to Slovenia. Together with Cardinal Sodano and the Slovenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Žiga Turk, Prime Minister Janša visited Kobarid Museum, which is dedicated to the First World War and was opened for the purpose of presenting the turbulent events that took place at the Soča Front. On this occasion, Prime Minister Janša, Minister Turk and Cardinal Sodano signed the visitors' book in the museum.

 

During Slovenia's efforts to gain independence, Cardinal Sodano was Secretary of State of His Holiness the Pope. He was appointed to this office on 29 June 1991 by Pope John Paul II, and one of his first major tasks was to make arrangements for the recognition of Slovenia and Croatia as sovereign states by the international community. While fully focusing on this task, Cardinal Sodano drew on his extensive diplomatic experience. In June 1992 he was awarded the Golden Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia for his merits and personal contribution to the international recognition and visibility of Slovenia.

 

In his statement to the press following the tour of Kobarid Museum, Prime Minister Janša said that there are several reasons to be pleased with Cardinal Sodano's visit to Slovenia. "This year, Slovenia and the Vatican celebrate the 20th anniversary of international cooperation and Slovenia's recognition. This is a highly important event because the Vatican was among the first to recognise our country", said Prime Minister Janša while also recalling the role played by Cardinal Sodano, which was of major importance during the process of Slovenia's gaining its independence and for which "generations living today in a sovereign Slovenia are very grateful".

 

Moreover, Prime Minister Janša expressed his delight at Cardinal Sodano's decision to visit the scenes of the First World War because of his personal interest in the relevant events and at his express wish. "Here, there are direct links with his family and his father who, after the war, buried or dug up the fallen Italian soldiers", said the Slovenian Prime Minister and pointed out that "millions of Europeans have very close personal ties with these places". He added that all the efforts invested in the museum and memorials, and the conservation of the remains of the First World War will be of particular significance at a time when we will begin commemorating the 100th anniversary of these historical events. In the Prime Minister's view, this area also offers opportunities to the Slovenian tourist industry "because all that is happening here and has, at first sight, the characteristics of cultural developments also includes elements of what these places need to speed up their progress".