Dear Slovenians, Dear fellow citizens,

A year which we will all remember for the rest of our lives is drawing to an end. The coronavirus epidemic has opened several issues and dilemmas which we as a community, have postponed and brushed aside. Decades of unresolved issues were shot forward with all their might.

Our primary concern during the epidemic was the health of the people. Then the aid for individuals, families, companies, associations, and professional groups which the epidemic hit the most. All with the intention to mitigate the consequences and maintain the potential of Slovenian society and the economy. We adopted seven anti-corona packages in the total value of 8 billion euros. There is a time when the country makes minimum interventions into our everyday lives. And then there are times when it can and must take action. This is why we have it. An epidemic requires the adoption of measures to protect the health and lives of people, and the government adopted these measures.

We are looking at the final third of our fight with the epidemic, and then much effort will be needed in order to recover as quickly as possible and to re-introduce growth. Recovery funds in the next few years will also be made available from European funds. I am proud that we managed to negotiate more than 10 billion euros in our multiannual financial framework and recovery package. This is the highest amount of funds that Slovenia has received from European funds in its history.

I would like to thank everyone who has made their best efforts for the common good in these difficult times, who have saved lives and who, despite everything, have made it possible for us to live safely. I thank all of you who acted responsibly to yourselves and to others. I would also like to thank everyone who will undergo voluntary vaccination in the coming months, with effective vaccines which are the result of the tireless work of researchers, not only in the last year, but rather the result of many decades of research, exchange of information, and discoveries of the free world. By vaccinating yourselves, you will not only protect yourself, but also your loved ones and the community.

When we get out of this war with the coronavirus, we will not think of the suffering we were faced with. We will be thankful for our health. We will remember the good things that happened in these difficult times until the end of our days.

Dear all!

A couple of very challenging weeks lie ahead of us. But we will endure. Three decades ago, we became an independent, sovereign nation that was able to combine its powers for a bright common future. Today, we can think with our own minds as individuals, without the help of TV screens. Let’s close our ranks in the fight against the harmful disease which is an equal threat to all of us. Do not fall for the ones who see an inch before your noses, for you filter out the mosquito and swallow the camel.

Dear all!

Let the new year quickly bring us a warm and green spring, free of the virus and all the related restrictions. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones during the holidays.

Stay healthy and brave. Happy new year.