The Slovenia Times

Slovenia marks 25th independence anniversary with calls for unity

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The day was also marked by receptions of neighbouring heads of state at the Presidential Palace and a mass for the homeland at the Ljubljana cathedral.

President Borut Pahor praised the unity displayed by Slovenians when they decided on independence 25 years ago, urging for national unity and cooperation in addressing future challenges.

Delivering the keynote at the main state ceremony in Congress Square, he pointed out that unity had enabled the Slovenians to survive as a nation and establish a state. "This self-confidence has helped us become a part of the European family of nations."

The president dedicated quite a large part of his speech to the EU. Without naming Brexit directly, he said the bloc found itself in trouble stressing that a federal EU was the only way forward.

He is convinced it is in Slovenia's interest to be in the most integrated part of the EU. "It is of vital interest to us for the EU to get stronger. I believe the EU will be federal or there won't be any," said Pahor.

Just before the ceremony, the National Assembly held a ceremonial session, with Speaker Milan Brglez stressing that Slovenia and its independence cannot and must not be claimed by anyone, as it belongs to all of us.

The speaker said that he would be happy to see the celebration of Slovenia's independence to again and again reflect the spirit of unity from 25 years ago.

Meanwhile, unlike at the original independence ceremony in 1991, the heads of states of neighbouring countries, bar the ill Hungarian president, as well as Germany's Joachim Gauck attended the celebrations as well.

In the afternoon, they were received by Pahor and congratulated Slovenia on the jubilee. Austrian President Heinz Fischer spoke of a 25-year-long success story.

Gauck said that he was happy to be in Slovenia on such a special day and, after Brexit, to be in the company of friends who are loyal to Europe and want to make it even better.

Pahor also received relatives of those who died in the short war for Slovenia in 1991, stressing the importance of unity the Slovenians displayed in that period.

Pahor moreover attended along with Prime Minister Miro Cerar and other prominent officials a mass for the homeland, celebrated by Archbishop of Ljubljana Stanislav Zore.

Zore said that just declaring independence was not enough, "a state needs to be built". It is not enough to change the social system and write down democracy in core laws of the country.

Lutheran churche leader Bishop Geza Filo issued a separate message today in which he acknowledged that the changing world led to changes that often meant trouble for a small nation like Slovenia, but added "it is good to be Slovenian".

A message on the occasion of National Day also came from Defence Minister Andreja Katič, who expressed her belief in Slovenians' boundless love of their homeland as "the value that connects us".

National Day, 25 June, is celebrated with a state ceremony each year. It honours the passage of key independence legislation by parliament on 25 June 1991. The independence was officially declared a day later.

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