Dear Madam President Nataša Pirc Musar,
dear European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič,
distinguished guests, ministers, MPs, diplomatic corps,
dear Professor Prodi, dear former President Borut Pahor,
dear former Prime Minister Anton Rop.
Dear guests and, above all,
dear people of Nova Gorica, I am happy to be home.
I am very honoured to speak to you today on the anniversary
of our accession to the European Union.
On this solemn occasion, which will be quite emotional for me,
and I believe for many of you. You can hear it in my voice.
I believe we, the people who live near the border,
were the ones who at that time were most proudly aware
of what it meant to be an equal member of the European community.
We felt an immense sense of pride.
I believe we still feel it today.
I also remember an immense sense of relief,
because we no longer needed passes
to cross the border into Gorizia, into Italy.
When I was young and had much longer hair,
I spent my summers on the Soča river.
Next year will mark 40 years of the Soča Regatta,
held on the stretch from Solkan to Pevma.
Kayaking downstream was always easy, you didn't need papers.
But to come back to Yugoslavia, you needed a pass.
I still remember when Radko forgot his pass at home,
we used to smuggle him in the van among the luggage.
We used to call it the free movement of people.
But Slovenians have another ...
Slovenians have a very rich historical experience
with another European value, the free movement of goods.
I think this noble tradition of ours
was best described by Fran Levstik in his legendary work Martin Krpan.
I believe quite a few members of the audience
could share similar stories
about smuggling or the free movement of goods.
But all joking aside,
I am pleased this ceremony is being held here
in front of the Municipal Palace,
where the first cornerstone was laid for a public building
in what was then a new town of Nova Gorica.
In a town created after a world war
with the purpose of mitigating
the pain of the border that had cut so deeply into our space.
It was this pain
that inspired Europeans on both sides of the border
to seek a better future,
to create a new vision.
Europe was the answer.
The idea of Europe is the only one that can bind this space together,
and not only that, it can bind all the European nations
to ensure the bloodshed of the WW2 will never be repeated.
If ever, it was at the time of the creation of Nova Gorica,
which was created in difficult times, but full of optimism.
Literally on the wings of the youth work brigades,
a town was created that was a symbol of progress,
a symbol of hope.
It was this symbol that growing up, inspired all of us
to build a better, European way.
And yet Nova Gorica wasn't perfect.
Across the border, there was Gorizia.
The two towns were so close,
but so divided.
Again, the only answer was Europe.
That is why, in this very area, we are so aware of European ideas.
The history of Europe is full of conflicts between nations,
as proven by both world wars.
When the wise people were looking for a solution,
they realised there was only one way to overcome this.
Through the consistent enforcement of the rule of law, human rights,
and the welfare state.
This was not only a phenomenon of the then European Community.
The same ideas were present here, in Slovenia.
The best proof of this is the fact that one of the leading slogans
at the time of our national independence
was precisely "Europe now".
Even then Slovenia was already on the European path.
It was also the best response
to the threats of the Belgrade regime.
They threatened not only to abolish our self-government,
they also threatened our identity.
The call of the new Europe was the best answer,
and it drowned out all the armed threats.
With incredible national unity,
we voted for sovereignty and later defended it.
But I dare say it was the idea of Europe
that inspired the idea of independence.
Even then, we knew that Slovenia belonged to the European family,
even though it was much smaller than it is today.
Similarly, the inspiration of the Europe Square
can be an inspiration to unite the space of Nova Gorica and Gorizia
into a single urban space.
I believe the Europe Square,
where the accession ceremony took place,
and is now a construction site, rightly so,
is much more than just a square of two towns.
An idea that is seemingly small, but at the same time revolutionary.
Revolutionary also because it was on this very spot,
even before the accession to the EU,
that the two mayors of the neighbouring towns,
Mayors Brancati and Brulc,
showed a touch of boldness or courage,
when they removed the fence even before the accession to the EU.
And thus, in fact, made the space
where the ceremony could take place twenty years ago.
We will need the same courage in the future,
because the challenges ahead of us are, unfortunately, great.
And yet, returning to the Europe Square.
The Europe Square is not only a symbol for Slovenia,
for Nova Gorica and Gorizia, it is also a symbol for Europe.
It is in this square that it is most evident
how European values
can help heal the wounds of the past,
the scars of history,
and forge new friendships.
This square is a symbol of hope for Europe as a whole,
because it points the way forward.
I believe this is also why
we had our accession ceremony in this square.
Today we have with us three important and respected men
who had a significant influence on our accession to the European Union.
The then President of the European Commission,
Mr Romano Prodi.
Professor, please stand up.
The then Prime Minister of Slovenia, Dr Anton Rop.
And the then President of the National Assembly,
the former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Borut Pahor.
Before the ceremony, I asked if they had any more advice for me.
They said we should laugh,
because then there was a lot of laughter.
It was a moment of laughter, of joy, and also of great expectations.
I am convinced that we can express the same commitment
to the same values,
and that we will continue on this same path of optimism, hope
and belief in European values.
Slovenian journey in the European Union is a long one.
We started as a candidate, this lasted almost a decade.
It was a period of painful adjustments,
it was not always easy, but we had learnt a lot.
Over the last two decades, we have also learnt
that there are, unfortunately, not only bright,
but also dark sides to the EU. But this is our common Europe.
We have also learnt that Europe is only strong if it is united.
It is only as strong as it is solidary.
The stronger Europe is, the safer Slovenia is.
Because Slovenia's main interest is the safety of its citizens,
the Government will always strive for these principles in Brussels.
The principles of unity and solidarity,
because this is how we strengthen the safety of our country,
even when we speak in Brussels.
Today, we can see that Europe is much more than just
a community of states or political institutions.
Europe is also a community of values.
Values such as inclusiveness, cohesion between nations,
and also the promotion of diversity.
Of values that appreciate the dignity of everyone,
and build a society where everyone has the chance to succeed.
But, unfortunately, today these values are being tested.
Some ideas that we were convinced had disappeared into history
are now making a comeback in the European political space
through various forms of populism.
When, in a month's time, we exercise our right to vote,
and cast our vote in the European elections,
and say what kind of Europe we want to live in,
we must not forget that it is precisely European values
that are the bulwark of democracy.
I hope all of you will make full use of your right to vote,
and above all that we will do so in a way
that will make Europe stronger and Slovenia safer.
Dear guests,
today is 9 May, Victory Day.
Today is the day when Europe celebrates its liberation.
I wish with all my heart
that the decision of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia,
which today recognised Palestine,
will also bring a ray of hope for the Palestinian people
on their path to freedom. Thank you.