Slovenian Red Cross marks its 150th anniversary
He said the volunteers - there are around 14,000 working for the Slovenian Red Cross - revealed a lot about the nation's character and values, which transcend political and ideological divisions.
Pahor, who believes the charity deserves "deep respect and recognition of the entire community", stressed that its 150-year history proved it was deeply rooted in its environment and was vital in its mission.
The president also pointed to the new situation in the world for which Red Cross was facing new challenges. "There are ever more refugees in the world, there are ever more victims or war."
To thank the organisation for its activity, Pahor gave its new president DuĊĦan Keber a Slovenian flag. Keber said that while progress in the world was thought to reduce the need for charity, this unfortunately did not happen.
The ceremony was also addressed via video by the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Tadateru Konoe. Congratulating the charity, Konoe praised the Slovenian Red Cross for providing humanitarian aid to migrants crossing Europe.
The history of the Slovenian Red Cross goes back to 1866, when two military nursing groups were founded in Ljubljana. The Slovenian Red Cross was then officially established on 18 June 1944. Today, it is the country's main charity, organising first aid, blood donation and food distribution.
The organisation brings together 12 regional and 56 local groups comprising more than 14,000 volunteers. It also manages a seaside resort for children and youth.
In December 2013, President Pahor decorated it with the Order for Services for systematically building the blood donor network in Slovenia.