If politicians cooperate well and in an exemplary way, nations will be friends among themselves
Today, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, is on an official visit to Austria at the invitation of the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Talks with the host focused on the situation in the region and around the world, on climate change, and on the war in Ukraine. The two presidents paid special attention to the situation of the Slovenian minority in Austria, and expressed the expectation that the two countries will find a solution regarding internal Schengen border control before the summer.
Vienna, Austria, 24 Apr 2023
News
The Federal President of the Republic of Austria greeted the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, with military honours in the Hofburg Palace.
"My first priority is our neighbouring countries," emphasised the President of the Republic, who had a private discussion with the host. Afterwards, the delegations of the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Austria met for a plenary discussion led by the two presidents.
"Nowadays, good relations are of utmost importance," said President Van der Bellen at the start of the plenary session, referring to the visit as a cordial meeting in the spirit of good neighbourly European relations. There is also excellent economic cooperation between the two countries: Austria is Slovenia's fourth most important foreign trade partner, first in terms of investment in the Slovenian economy, second in terms of exchange of services, and third in terms of the number of tourists.
President Van der Bellen further highlighted 19,000 Slovenes living in Austria and 26,000 cross-border commuters. In this regard, the President of Slovenia and the President of Austria emphasised that Schengen and the free movement of people are among of the fundamental values of the European Union. Therefore, they expressed an expectation that the two countries will find a solution regarding border control before the summer.
During the plenary session, the President of the Republic and the host spoke about the situation in the Western Balkans and the process of the enlargement of the Union. Slovenia and Austria share the understanding that the region of the Western Balkans is part of Europe, and strive to strengthen and accelerate the enlargement process for the countries of the region. "The President and I share the vision that more Europe in the Western Balkans means development and stability in this region," emphasised the President of the Republic, presenting the plans on the continuation and upgrading of cooperation with the countries of the region within the framework of the Brdo-Brioni initiative on the issue of climate change and youth challenges.
Particular attention was paid to the situation of the Slovenian minority in Austria. President Pirc Musar highlighted the minority's efforts to preserve the Slovenian language and, in this regard, pointed out the importance of the right to ensure quality education in the Slovenian language, starting at kindergarten, and the right to use the Slovenian language within the judiciary in the region in which the Slovenian minority lives. "President Van der Bellen is aware of how important language is to each minority. I cannot imagine the existence of a minority without a language, and I am glad that President Van der Bellen is of the same opinion," she thanked the host for his sincere friendship, and for his affection for the Slovenian minority. President Van der Bellen said that he considers the minority to be the bridge between the two countries.
Moreover, President Pirc Musar and President Van der Bellen spoke about the war in Ukraine and called for the prompt launching of peace negotiations. The President of the Republic thanked President Van der Bellen for the Austrian donations to the operation of ITF, an organisation on a mission to strengthen human security, which also operates in Ukraine. The two presidents devoted a significant part of the talks to climate change and environmental issues, which connect them as statespersons.
"We can always find content and projects that bring us closer together as neighbouring and friendly nations," said President Pirc Musar, recalling her first meeting with President Van der Bellen on 9 December last year, shortly before her inauguration. "Even then, I felt that we would continue the friendly relationship between our two countries," she recalled, emphasising that politicians are an important role model for people. "If we cooperate well and in an exemplary way, nations will be friends among themselves. This is my earnest wish,” she said.
The Austrian president hosted a luncheon in honour of the Slovenian president. As part of the official programme, the President of the Republic also visited the exhibition at the Belvedere museum, titled “Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse…”. She concluded her visit at a reception for Slovenes who live, work, and create in Vienna.
Last week, the President of the Republic of Slovenia met with the representatives of the Slovenian minority in Austria as part of the preparation for her official visit.
