Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, attended the main ceremony on the occasion of Slovenia joining the Schengen Area, which was held at the Škofije border crossing under the sponsorship of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Government of Italy and the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
In his address, the PM said that the lifting of borders was something we did not dare to dream about fifteen years ago. "We have almost forgotten, but on our borders, then the borders between Yugoslavia, Italy, Hungary and Austria, only twenty years ago, people who illegally crossed the so-called green border, wanting to enter a space of greater freedom and progress, were being shot at," said the PM. He reminded everyone present that only twenty years ago, those who had brought across this very border books about democracy or multi-party systems, or who criticised the incumbent Yugoslav regime, were considered suspicious. "Today's generations cannot even imagine some of the things that went on," said the PM.
The PM also mentioned the events that the citizens of Slovenia faced in the last two decades, which began with the Slovenian Spring, the dissolution of Yugoslavia and Slovenian independence. "They were followed by the war for Slovenia. The decisive part of the successful defence of the country, which was attacked immediately after its declaration of independence, was the fight for the Northern and Western borders," said Mr Janša. After successfully defending its sovereignty, Slovenia was internationally recognised, joined the EU and NATO and, finally, the Euro Area on 1 January. "Now we are joining the Schengen Area, a space of greater freedom and security. Today, on the 50th anniversary of its formation, the dreams of a united Europe have become a reality more than ever before," said the PM.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
The PM also said that the fall of the border and accession to the Schengen Area brought new times for the both minorities, as they were no longer separated from their homelands. "New opportunities arise, which can be used for common good," said the PM.
The PM also stressed that with this enlargement of the area of freedom and security the integration of Europe had not finished, as both the European Union and the Schengen Area would continue to expand. "To expand into our neighbourhood, the region of the Western Balkans needs to be stabilised. This is one of the greatest challenges of our fast approaching Presidency of the Council of the European Union," said the PM.
In his speech the PM particularly thanked Slovenian police officers, who together with the Territorial Defence troops successfully defended the sovereignty of our Northern and Western borders and who then secured the borders with their counterparts on the other side for the seventeen years since. "In this way you ensured that we have become a recognised territory, that we have fulfilled the conditions for the Schengen Area to expand to our country as well," said the PM, also thanking representatives of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Ministry of Finance who have participated in the project in the last few years, and the Italian police officers and carabinieri for their fruitful collaboration. "With joint efforts, this was a safe and to a large extent friendly border. Together, you have provided the conditions for this celebration and the physical elimination of this border," concluded the PM.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
On this occasion the incumbent President, Prime Minister of Portugal, José Socrates, symbolically handed over to the Presidency of the European Union to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia. Mr Janša thanked his Portuguese counterpart for collaboration in the Presidency trio of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, which pioneered the EU's new approach to the Presidency. "Slovenia is particularly grateful for having been able to participate in such a trio with two experienced members of the EU, as they have both proved this year that they can achieve strategic advances," he said.
"Slovenia will continue on this path. It will take advantage of the optimism which increased after the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon and the enlargement of the Schengen Area," said Mr Janša. He said that Slovenia would do everything in its power to ensure quick ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in the first half of 2008 wherever possible and to take advantage of the existing optimism to take concrete steps to improve the everyday lives of Europeans.
(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)
The Slovenian PM thanked the Portuguese Presidency for decisive support and perseverance with the Schengen enlargement. "Portugal not only provided political support and will, but also concrete measures. In our opinion, this is one of the great achievements of the Portuguese Presidency, which enabled this celebration of the enlargement of the area of freedom and security to Slovenia and other new member states," said the PM.
