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President of Slovenia at the International Meeting for Peace

Munich, 11.9.2011  |  press release


President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attending the memorial event commemorating the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 at the International Meeting for Peace (photo: Katharina Ebel/KNA)The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended a memorial event commemorating the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the International Meeting for Peace, in Munich. The meeting, the 25th in a row, was convened for the first time in 1986, in Assisi, at the initiative of Pope John Paul II; since then, it has been held at a different location every year.

The president delivered a speech at the opening session of the meeting, entitled 'Bound to Live Together'. The meeting was opened by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Christian Wulff; among other speakers were the President of the Republic of Guinea, Dr Alpha Condé, the Archbishop of Munich and Freising Cardinal, Dr Reinhard Marx, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer, and a representative of the Community of Sant Egidio, Mr Andrea Riccardi.

President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk attends the opening of the International Meeting for Peace entitled 'Bound to Live Together' (photo: Katharina Ebel/KNA)In his speech, President Türk emphasised that this year we commemorate one of the most tragic and ominous events of modern times. He added that at the time of the terrorist attacks, he was living in New York and that he will never forget the tragedy, pain and suffering that this evil and criminal act caused so many people. President Türk underlined that from the brutality of terrorism we can learn many lessons, in particular one on the importance of peace, which is never ensured without effort. He explained that peace requires constant cultivation and a wide range of human activities, including wise and experienced diplomacy, careful management of economic and social development, fairness and equitably in society and at an international level and, above all, it requires a strong sense of moral obligation.

President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meeting the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Christian Wulff, and Cardinal Dr Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising (photo: Katharina Ebel/KNA)President Türk recalled the words of Pope John Paul II who once said that 'development' is a new name for peace. A feeling of being unjustly handicapped, which often leads to violence, more often arises in stagnant and underdeveloped societies. According to the president, it is of vital importance to establish fairness, which also forms the fundamentals of any governance. In this context, in addition to an effective judicial system, he emphasised the importance and expectations of people that governmental institutions will treat them fairly in connection with their legitimate efforts and in resolving their difficulties.

President Türk pointed out that the treatment of all those who are different, i.e. the representatives of ethnic religious or cultural minorities, immigrants and their communities, is an important test of fairness. He also drew the attention to the distorted presentation of facts by certain European politicians and media, who portray immigrants as a threat. Such portrayals often disregard the real need of Europe for immigrant labour, and places undue emphasis on the negative effects of migration. The president added that the recent terrorist attack and mass killings in Norway reminded us of the risks of such phenomena.

President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attending the memorial event commemorating the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 at the International Meeting for Peace (photo: Katharina Ebel/KNA)President Türk joined the warning of a group of eminent people, who (under the auspices of the Council of Europe) have drawn up a report entitled 'Living Together'. The group warned against the closing of Europe and the predominance of racism, xenophobia and other prejudices and, at the same time, called to mobilise teachers, media, employers and trade unions, religious communities, civil societies and celebrities to make broader efforts for openness, human rights and fairness. President Türk also emphasised that this is the best and safest road to ensure the cohesion of the European societies, and permanent peace and well-being. A successful, tolerant and peaceful Europe can also remain globally influential for peace and development in the future, he added.
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