The strongest friendships between nations are based on equality, cooperation and trust

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the downing of the American B-17 bomber at Andraž nad Polzelo. The pilot and the co-pilot survived the downing, and the remaining eight crew members were buried in the Andraž cemetery. Subsequently, their remains were exhumed and reburied in their home country. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of this event in 2014, the Polzela Municipality erected a memorial to the downed crew. The event is traditionally commemorated and celebrated as a day of friendship between the two countries as well as in memory of the fallen American airmen and soldiers that fought in Slovenia and of the alliance between the two countries during the Second World War.

In her keynote address, the President of the Republic of Slovenia and the Commander-in-Chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces paid homage to the fallen airmen, to the courage of the people in their fight against fascism and Nazism, and to the alliance between the nations. According to the President, Andraž nad Polzelo became a symbol of friendship and alliance between the two nations and countries that fought together against fascism and Nazism eighty years ago. She therefore thanked the local residents for respectfully keeping alive the memory of this event, which became one of the cornerstones of Slovenian-American friendship and alliance. She also expressed words of gratitude for the support for this celebration to the US Ambassador to Slovenia, Jamie Harpootlian, and her team, who each year commemorate this anniversary, demonstrating their aspirations to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and peoples.

Nearly 80 years after the end of the Second World War, it seems that some people still do not understand the absurdity of war and the irreplaceable role of multilateralism, respect for international law and human rights in the peaceful resolution of conflicts – in Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Sudan and elsewhere in the world. President Pirc Musar therefore re-emphasised the role of the United Nations and condemned the disrespect with which the organisation is faced in the current international circumstances. She recalled the commitments in the Charter of the United Nations and said that the strongest friendships between nations are based on equality, cooperation and trust. "The involvement of all stakeholders, including women, in negotiation and decision-making processes is important for mutual understanding and lasting solutions in crises. Inclusion, respect, trust and understanding are the basic preconditions for lasting stability in the world," said the President of the Republic.

"We fought shoulder to shoulder with American and other Allied forces. Many Slovenians selflessly helped Allied soldiers and pilots, despite the danger to their own families. Their hearts and humanity dictated such acts," she said, adding that, despite the large geographical distance, Slovenia shares strong historical ties with the United States of America, and the two countries cooperate in many areas, particularly in the framework of NATO.

Guests were also addressed by the US Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Jamie Lindler Harpootlian, and the Mayor of the Municipality of Polzela, Jože Kužnik. A flyover of Slovenian Army planes took place to mark Slovenian-American Friendship and Alliance Day.