Slovenian President at the Slovenia-UK Friendship Day ceremony

In her speech, Ambassador Victoria Harrison said: “I am honoured to be at my first UK-Slovenia Friendship Day, alongside President Pirc Musar, where together we celebrate the deep and ongoing bond between our two countries, in the year where we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.  Friendship Day is not only a moment of memory and remembrance — it is a celebration of the living friendship between the UK and Slovenia, and a chance to look to the future and our shared vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world.”

Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards said: “It is a privilege to represent the Royal Air Force at UK-Slovenia Friendship Day, and mark the 80th anniversary of the crash of a British bomber just weeks before the war in Europe ended. I give my profound gratitude and respect to this community for their brave actions which saved the lives of four British Airmen. Today, just as 80 years ago, Slovenia and the UK are friends standing side-by-side, partners in peace and European security, NATO allies committed to defending the values we share.”

In her speech, President Musar said that Slovenia-UK Friendship Day holds a special significance: "It reminds us of what we must carefully nurture – friendship, respect and cooperation among nations, efforts to help one another, and a desire for peace and freedom. First, we must recall with gratitude the people of this village, who, after the crash of a British bomber nearby, assisted the surviving crew members. During the Second World War, our ancestors across Slovenia showed how big were their hearts and helped more than 800 downed Allied airmen. Humanity, humanitarianism and solidarity prevailed against the horrors of war. We must also not forget the immense support we received from the Allies, including the UK, for which we will always be grateful. In those dark times, joint efforts led us to victory over evil and gave us a chance for new beginnings."

President Musar also said that in the increasingly unpredictable international circumstances, the UK still played an important role in ensuring the stability and security of the European continent. She believes that development-oriented partnership and allied cooperation must be based on the principles of international law, mutual agreements and respect for human rights and freedoms. "Therefore, we welcome the enhanced security and defence partnership that the European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on a few days ago. Only political and diplomatic consultations and defence efforts will contribute to joint initiatives, solutions for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere, and the deterrence of potential security challenges. On this occasion, I would also like to highlight new opportunities for bilateral cooperation between our countries. These are based on our greatest wealth – knowledge. We must focus our joint efforts on modern technologies and innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources, tourism and many other areas. Mutual ties, not only institutional, but also personal – ties among people, are an invaluable legacy for the current and future generations. If these ties are rooted in youth and knowledge, we can live in hope that our relations will strengthen, as well as the awareness of the importance of peace, integration and peaceful cohabitation among nations," she concluded.