NATIONAL DAY CONGRATULATIONS FROM FOREIGN STATESMEN

Ljubljana, 22 June 2001


The President of the Republic, Milan Kucan, is receiving numerous letters of congratulations from foreign statesmen on the occasion of National Day.

"Russia ascribes great significance to relations of partnership with Slovenia" writes the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, in his letter of congratulations at the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Slovenia's statehood, adding that he wishes "friendly Slovenia new successes in building democracy and developing its economy, and prosperity and stability to the citizens of Slovenia". President Putin also thanked President Kucan "for the very substantive discussion" during their recent meeting at Brdo Castle.

US President George W. Bush also mentioned his visit to Slovenia in his letter of congratulations. "As saw for myself on my visit to your beautiful country earlier this month, Slovenia's commitment to liberty, democracy and human rights is profound and clear. Slovenia serves as a peaceful example to countries in the region and beyond", writes President Bush, adding that the United States regard Slovenia a friendly partner nation.

Congratulations were dispatched also by Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China. "I am convinced that friendly relations and co-operation between our countries and nations will continue evolving through mutual efforts on both sides", writes President Jiang Zemin.

"This decade was marked by important achievement, not only for Slovenia but also in strengthening the friendship between our two countries", wrote Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in his letter of congratulations at "this very special anniversary". Congratulations were also dispatched by the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, Dr Thomas Klestil, and the President of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic.

I would like to again reassure you on my own behalf and on behalf of the French nation of our willingness to further deepen the good relations between Slovenia and France, noted French President Jacques Chirac in his letter of congratulations at National Day, expressing also France's support for Slovenia's accession to the EU.

"You and your countrymen can look back with joy and satisfaction on what you have achieved and look forward into the future with calm optimism. Today we see how right and courageous the step you and your countrymen took ten years ago was," wrote the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Johannes Rau in his letter of congratulations.

Congratulations were also dispatched by HM King Albert of Belgium, the President of Greece Constantinos Stephanopoulos, Irish President Mary McAleese, HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Henri Grand-Duke of Luxembourg, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, President of Romania Ion Iliescu, Slovak President Rudolf Schuster and the President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic.

The President also received good wishes for the prosperity of the Slovenian nation from HM Emperor Akihito of Japan, Australian Governor General William Deane, the President of the United States of Mexico Vincent Fox Quesade, the President of the State Council of Cuba Fidel Castro Ruz, the President of Uruguay, Jorge Batlle Ibanez, Zambian President Federick J. T. Chiluba, the President of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor, the President of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid, President of the Maldives Maumaan Abdul Gayaan and the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, KimYong Nam.