In a speech at the main state ceremony at Rogla on the occassion of Resistance Day, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, stressed that we must first and foremost be Slovenes, as Slovenian identity should not be subject to ideological political beliefs. "If we love our country, there can be no ambiguities about the core set of civic values," said the PM.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
"Slovenes have different, sometimes even opposing views on the past. But we unanimously believe that in 1941 the occupying foces tried to extinguish us as a people. We also agree about what happened to our fellow Slovenes living across the border under the rule of Fascists and Nazis," said Mr Janša.
"To be a free nation, equal to others and subordinate to no-one – these have been the principles of Slovenian resistance in centuries past," stressed the PM. He said that Slovenes have, like all other nations, sought better living conditions, more worthy of a human being, more wealth, and also more freedom, in which Slovenian nationality and language were the core values in seeking a common future for our nation.
Mr Janša also stressed that we were still discussing whether it makes sense to divide Slovenes, or whether we are first citizens of the Republic of Slovenia in a united Europe and only then defined by other characteristics. "Political divisions and political differences are the result of the cultural and civilisational development of every society and are not tragic per se. However, personal and social priorities are of key importance," said the PM.
Mr Janša also emphasised that grasping the objectives facilitating faster development and improved social cohesion in Slovenia was a civic and not a political goal. "It is fundamentally wrong if we still see our political future in the unreconciled political division of Slovenes," said the PM. "It is time that Slovenes grew up in this respect and jointly took advantage of the attractive opportunities that destiny has granted to the current generations."
