NEW YEAR MESSAGE 1999 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, MILAN KUCAN
(video in slovenian language)

Ljubljana, 30 December 1998



Respected citizens, dear Slovenes, at home and abroad,
the approach of the new millennium is already disturbing our New Year reflections. We are curious to see what the world will be like. We also feel concern.

The recognition of how strongly connected are all the earth’s people gives us encouragement. Our world is one, and it carries one hope, one responsibility. It is no longer possible for tension to build up in one part of the world without it affecting another. The Balkans, Iraq, the Middle East are part of our collective concern. From a recognition of this, stems the international community’s commitment to the need for the preservation of peace and economic stability in different parts of the world, for the defeat of unemployment and the reform of the pension system, for new solutions in the financial sphere, for a consistent and general respect for human rights, for an open culture and for a responsible attitude to nature. Slovenia is part of this world. Its fate is also ours.

In this year there has been joy. There has also been worry, especially for the sick, the weak and for those of you without work or who have been laid off, for those on the margins of poverty or even in poverty. Yet there has also been success. Many companies have proved themselves in the wider world, many individuals have successfully participated on equal terms in international projects, ensuring their own success and material rewards. There has also been a recognition that there are things for which it is worth continuing to strive. There has been the hope that it is possible to create a better life for the family, the nation, the country. And that the citizens of the country can create this better life.

Slovenia is, both in spite of and because of all its doubts and self-questioning, a strong, secure and reasonably successful country. It is so because, above all else, its people are strong, confident, capable and industrious. This is a good reason for our collective confidence and a weighty reason for a greater responsibility from those entrusted with the leadership of the state.

With the signing of the association agreement, which will lead us into the European Union, Slovenia took a step forward into the world. Slovenia has become an equal and responsible part of the international community. We are helping to shape the way life shall be lived in the 21st century and are co-creators of the European future, which is also our future. Let us grasp this as an opportunity worth exploiting. With confidence, based on the experience of small countries who have successfully passed the test of life in the European Union and with respect for the historical experience of previous generations of Slovenes.

The path is a demanding one and not without its uncertainties. It demands a respect for human rights, co-operation, mutual respect, understanding and support. Experience and the hard lessons of the past teach us that Slovenia can achieve much if we agree a common goal and grant others the right to be different. And if every individual’s contribution to the common effort is recognised and welcomed. Each one of us has the right to live our own life in our own way. But let us give no-one the right to harm our common future by reviving past conflicts or bringing into our lives empty disputes, which eat up our time and energy. Such disputes also delay state decisions on issues which dramatically affect your social position and threaten your security.

I share with you, respected citizens, the conviction that, in the work of state institutions, priority should be given to new economic development and, with it, to the creation of new employment, to the modern schooling of new generations, equipping them for the competition of life and work, and for the modern world, and also to the encouragement of cultural and spiritual creativity. For this, we need political peace within our state, not wrangling about splits or ruptures. We need peace, but not lethargy. What is useful to us is lively debate centred around burning social questions, debate which demands our involvement, increases our social sensitivity, refines our standards and enriches our knowledge. We need a civilised and responsible dialogue about the present and the future, and thus about the past. Then we can reach a democratic agreement about the common good. All this is essential to a country created by plebiscite; above all else, it is the spiritual core of its existence.

A country in which it is possible to live from one’s own work and to progress with good work, but which is aware of unavoidable social differences and is in control of them, is a community of confident people, creative, proud, full of strength and solidarity. Is a solid community, with firmly-shaped values and its own sense of dignity and identity. This is the kind of country we wanted. We can create it. This is the kind of country which will be beneficial and secure for all of us. But we have to be aware of our own responsibility for it. And not allow this responsibility to be taken from us. So that within it, we can create a better life and not leave this task up to others, who think only of their own interests and not ours.

It is good for all of us to continue to look to the future with high expectations. To expect excellence in all areas. Even in political life. But it is not all down to politics. There is life beyond politics. All of us, individually and together, create the atmosphere for a pleasant existence, we all take responsibility for it. Each of us in our own way. With co-operation. Understanding born out of co-operation drives away mistrust, banishes fears, shatters illusions.

On our common journey into the future, no-one must be left behind, no-one must be pushed aside. The dignity of every individual must be our guide as we strive to create a good and secure life for all in our unique Slovene land. Let our actions be determined by an awareness of the uniqueness of every human life and of the responsibility of each of us for ourselves, for those around us, for the wider community and for the natural world. Thus we shall create harmony within ourselves, between ourselves and others, and with our environment.

As we carry out our New Year reckoning and make plans for the future, let us remember our relatives and friends. Let us also remember those who are experiencing hardship. We wish them all a better, kinder year. Let us extend to them the hand of friendship and offer them our help.

There are enough reasons for us to look into the future with cheerfulness. There are enough reasons for us to take pleasure in life. Especially if we all heed the words of poet Tone Pavček, who says: “You are in this world to be your own sun and to drive away shadows”.

I wish you a happy holiday and good luck in the New Year.