Gostitelji

Photo: Matjaž Klemenc/Office of the President of Republic of Slovenia

President of the Republic, at the traditional reception for the Diplomatic Corps, calls for an inclusive and long-term development vision for our society

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, hosted the traditional New Year's reception for the Diplomatic Corps at Brdo pri Kranju. 

Brdo pri Kranju, 15 Jan 2025

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In her address, the President stressed that every human being has the right to live in a safe, clean and healthy environment. However, in a multipolar world – a world driven by the race for prestige and power – this right remains elusive. This situation is undermined by the pursuit of short-term gains and narrow interests, a state to which countries, especially small and medium-sized ones, are obliged to respond. 

"By breaking the silence, we, as responsible politicians, must speak out much more often and louder about the challenges we face – challenges that require nothing less than intergenerational reflection," the President said, focusing the debate on the importance of the policy of inclusion in the processes and relations of the international community, and on the factors that have a decisive impact on a country's ability to cope with the changing dynamics of the global economy.  

Inclusion in international relations, according to the President, starts at the inter-state level. All countries must be engaged in the resolution of disputes and conflicts. She highlighted the case of Ukraine and the growing consensus among countries that Russia must be involved in peace negotiations. In this context, she also emphasised the need to consistently uphold the principle of countries’ territorial integrity: "Without respect for this principle, international relations cannot be viable – whether between neighbours, between EU member states and NATO, or between any countries at all."

She went on to say that the European Union needs to place particular emphasis on discussing integration at the regional level. The accelerated accession of candidate countries on the basis of expected and consistently implemented reforms is, in her opinion, a crucial political, economic and geostrategic issue. "Candidate countries, Member States and European institutions must all contribute to this common endeavour. Indeed, delays in the enlargement process risk fostering disappointment, opposition to the EU and a tendency among the populations of the candidate countries to seek or accept alternative paths of development," the President stressed.

Inclusion is equally important at the global level, she said. The future of relations between the superpowers and other countries must be shaped by "honest dialogue, not by exclusionary monologues".  

"As statesmen, politicians, diplomats and opinion leaders, let us focus on developing an inclusive, long-term vision rooted in the values that define our common humanity, regardless of our differences. In this sense, inter-generational reflections or agreements on the future of our civilisation—whether on building peace, promoting economic cooperation, or protecting our environment and climate—should carry far greater weight than the many agreements to which we commit ourselves, but which we rarely implement fully and consistently."

"Slovenia can, wants and is fully capable of being part of such a future. The more we embrace inclusiveness – whether in dialogue with the superpowers or in treating migrants as valued and equal members of our societies – the greater our chances are to respond effectively to rapid economic change, to strengthen our global role, and to create the conditions for people to live in dignity," the President concluded.