STA, 25 June 2021 - Congratulations to Slovenia are pouring in on Friday as the country is marking Statehood Day and the 30th anniversary of its independence. Congratulations to President Borut Pahor were sent today by the leaders of Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Japan, Belgium and Switzerland, the president's office said.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella congratulated Pahor and the friendly Slovenian nation personally and on behalf of Italy. He wrote that the countries were enriched by frequent visits at the level of civil society and both ethnic minorities.
Mattarella expressed the conviction that the path set by him and Pahor with visits in Trieste and Basovizza last July has opened new perspectives, and wished Slovenia a successful presidency of the EU Council in the second half of the year.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also wished Slovenia a successful presidency in his congratulation message, while noting that the development of good bilateral relations in the last 30 years had contributed to well-being and better understanding between the countries' citizens.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote that 25 June 1991, when the first democratically elected Slovenian parliament declared the country's independence also meant a new beginning in relations between Slovenia and Germany.
Today, cooperation of our countries in economy, politics and culture is closer than ever, and the challenges of the present time are being tackled together and with solidarity, the president's office quoted the German president.
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputova said in her congratulation message that the friendly relations between Slovakia and Slovenia were based on common values and the partnership in the EU and NATO, and that she believed that this would be built on in the future.
Czech President Miloš Zeman meanwhile expressed satisfaction with the relations between the Czech Republic and Slovenia developing well both bilaterally and multi-laterally.
Pahor has also received congratulations from other leaders. Last week congratulations came from US President Joe Biden, while also to congratulate Slovenia are Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Belgian King Philippe, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Spanish King Felipe VI, Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti and others.
?? ?? Happy Statehood Day, Slovenia! Vesel dan državnosti!
— European Commission ?? (@EU_Commission) June 25, 2021
Slovenia was one of 10 countries that joined the European Union in 2004, the EU's biggest enlargement.
Today we celebrate with @EKvSloveniji. #StrongerTogether #Slovenija30
Christ the Redeemer statue in ?? Rio de Janeiro lit up with ?? flag. #Slovenia30 pic.twitter.com/RRfSekBGB7
— Slovenian Government (@govSlovenia) June 24, 2021
Congratulations to Slovenia have also been published on social networks by the European Parliament, EU Council and European Commission.
In some countries, landmarks were lit up in the colours of the Slovenian flag, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and a fountain in Athens, as seen in Twitter posts by the Slovenian embassies in Brazil and Greece.
