20th Anniversary of Slovenia’s EU Membership

Dear Citizens,
dear fellow Slovenians at home and around the world,
dear residents,

First of all, I wish you all a happy National Labour Day.

Twenty years ago today, Slovenia became a full member of the European Union, achieving one of its most important foreign policy priorities. This was confirmed by the citizens in the 2003 referendum, when 89 per cent of us voted in favour of EU membership.

Due to this membership, we undoubtedly live better than we would otherwise. Roads, railways, cycle lanes, water and sewage networks, schools, kindergartens, research centres, nursing homes and hospitals have been and are being built with EU funds. Our economy is more prosperous, as our companies can provide goods and services across the EU more easily and with fewer administrative barriers. A successful economy also fosters our social model. We take better care of our environment, air and water. Pupils and teachers, students, professors, researchers, creators and cultural workers have more opportunities by participating in ERASMUS+, cultural, creative and research programmes. Slovenian has become one of the official languages of the EU. Our agriculture develops better and our regional development is more balanced as a result of our EU membership.

Together we combat, and adapt to, climate change more efficiently. In the event of disasters such as last year’s floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, we receive European solidarity. The EU fosters a swifter transition to a sustainable and circular economy. EU membership also makes Slovenia’s voice count more in the world.

And let us not forget the most important thing: by joining the EU, we have become part of the world in which human rights and our freedom are most protected. These are achievements of which we can rightly be proud.

Just a few days after this anniversary, we will celebrate Europe Day and recall once again the importance of the European Union as the best peace project to rise from the ruins of World War Two. I am glad that we are aware of this and that Slovenia strongly supports the EU.

Due to the importance of the European Union, I would like to urge you once again to vote in the European Parliament elections on 9 June. We will be electing nine MEPs to represent our interests in this important and the only directly elected EU institution.

Your opinion matters. Take the future into your own hands. Do not let someone else decide your future. Say no to populism. Think of Europe, be European and vote. Europe is our common future.