NEWS

24. 6. 2014

PM's Message on Slovenian Statehood Day

Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA

Dear Citizens of Slovenia,

 

my sincere congratulations on Slovenian Statehood Day.

This is the day when we, Slovenian citizens, celebrate our state: because we fought for it, because we got it and because we respect it. Our Slovenia.

 

However, this is not enough for celebration.

We celebrate Slovenia the most when we are living from the fruits of our labour;

we celebrate it when it helps us when we need it;

we celebrate it by being proud of our inherited knowledge and natural beauty; and we celebrate it by holding talks on equal footing with the whole world.

 

Difficult times do not give us many reasons to celebrate. And we are living in difficult times: not everybody has a job, young people are leaving to seek knowledge abroad and at home we often argue and even show contempt instead of cooperating fairly.

This is also one of the reasons why the citizens do not trust politicians, and because they see us politicians as representatives of the state and they would sometimes like to direct their anger at it, at the state. However, Slovenia is not at fault: its independence was won, so that its people would make it better.

 

Better every day. From the people, for the people.

 

With this aim in mind and this courage we should celebrate our Slovenia, make it better for all our people. Open-minded and approachable, encouraging and developed, progressive and firm.

Fair and governed by the rule of law.

 

This is how we wish Slovenia to be, so we should make it such and celebrate it as such!

Happy Birthday, Slovenia!