We have achieved a great deal, but we can do much more
Formal Address of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of Slovenia's independence
Dear citizens, fellow compatriots!
Slovenia's declaration of independence was a unique act, which has paved the way for the current and future generations. Since June 1991 until this day, Slovenia has not only persisted, but made a name for herself. We have proved to ourselves and the world to be an active player in the international community. We have been successful in benefiting from EU membership, and have actively participated in its institutions; we have joined NATO, and are being entrusted with more and more tasks for the good of the international community. Next year, Slovenia will adopt the euro as the first and so far the only new member state, and somewhat later we will enter the Schengen area.
By establishing the Manoeuvre Structure of National Defence (MSNZ) in 1990, we gained our own defence capability, our own armed forces, to ensure all the ensuing steps to becoming an independent country. The MSNZ was later transformed into the Territorial Defence, which, together with the Slovenian police, created a strong defence force that was capable of defending the new Slovenian state, and emerged victorious from the War for Slovenia. This year thus marks the sixteenth anniversary of the Slovenian armed forces, and the fifteenth anniversary of the independent Slovenian state. Without the promptly organised defence, without the Slovenian army and police, there would be no Slovenian state.
If, in the past, smaller countries often fell victim to the rivalry between the bigger ones, in today's knowledge- and information-based world they face much better development opportunities. In 2008 we will face the demanding challenge of presiding over the European Union as the first new member state, and demonstrating to the founding members that new ones can also be successful. We see this as a great recognition, opportunity, and challenge.
We Slovenes have shown that at the most critical moments we can stand together. This was the case when we opted for an independent state, and for joining the EU, with a large majority. Today, fifteen years later, at a time when strategic circumstances are favourable for us, and we face a more predictable period, we need a third, but equally important consensus on our future.
This time we must decide on a path that will enable the sustainable development of the country and the preservation of values which will ensure a high level of welfare, social cohesion and solidarity, quality of life, accessibility of education and health. Society must develop in such a way as to ensure every individual a long, healthy, and active life.
To preserve these values in the increasingly dynamic and globalised world, we will make every effort towards successful economic development based on the indisputable fact that only economic development can provide a solid, long-term basis for welfare and success in international markets. Slovenia must establish a new relationship between the economic efficiency of the market, the social responsibility of individuals, and a partner state.
It would be great pity if we did not make the most of our achievements. Slovenia has attained one of the highest levels of economic growth in recent years, thus reducing the development gap with the European Union, decreased inflation, and begun making progress in the labour market. For the first time, the country can expect a period of continuing development and growth, and we are the sole agents of our success.
Today, the burden of development rests on the shoulders of the active generations. They should be credited with the growth we are experiencing and the successes. In fifteen years, this generation has not only secured our independence, but has also made Slovenia what she is - a successful country with a healthy economic foundation, which through modernisation will continue to form the basis for a continuous increase in welfare in the future.
However, we do not seek to be merely a country with a market and regulatory system. We want Slovenia to be a connected community, a solidary society. Generations of retired citizens have also shaped our identity by having created all that we brought with us into the independent state. They struggled in conditions much worse than we are experiencing. It would be unjust that they should carry a disproportionately large burden of development, now that Slovenia is making progress, especially as we can rightfully expect that future generations will, regardless, live much, much better than they do now. This would be unfair; therefore, we will aim to ensure real growth in pensions, and strengthen the capital fund of pension insurance, so as to eliminate the need to increase contribution rates and put additional pressure on working time.
We must pay much, much more attention than we have so far to future generations - those born in the last fifteen years, and those born today. As a community, we can provide them with a safe environment, and values that will enrich our future, which is extremely important. Then there are quality education, quality know-how, and a well-developed ability to use knowledge in different and rapidly changing circumstances. In addition, we are already able to ensure in the coming years a solid social position for all young people wishing to study, and eliminate social status as a selective criterion for a young person. Anyone willing and able to make the effort to achieve any level of education must be provided with the appropriate material conditions. The scholarship system must provide this for all those whose parents are unable to do so. To achieve this, we intend to increase scholarship funds in the coming years for all those in full-time education. It is in our national interest to see that everyone gain as much knowledge as they are capable of at an early age, and not only as much as their social status allows them. The more we succeed in establishing and organising our human capital, the more we shall advance as a community and as individuals. Investment in knowledge and scholarships is not merely an expense; it is an individual's investment in society and the future.
Today, more than any time before, we can set ourselves great goals for the future. We seek to become nothing less than one of the most successful countries in the world. On our way to achieving this goal we seek to make use of the best that is in our national character: creativity, hard work, entrepreneurship. dedication, justice, openness, tolerance, honesty, solidarity.
Let us ensure that which is the best in us works for the common good. Let us invest in Slovenia our energy, ideas, hopes, and our talents. Let us use them to build a community in which every individual will be able to say: "I do care what happens to Slovenia, for I know Slovenia cares what happens to me."
My warmest congratulations on National Day, the fifteenth birthday of Slovenia.