25.6.2009 – REVISED

WELCOME BY MR LLUĺS MARIA DE PUIG,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

TO BORUT PAHOR, PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVENIA

(Strasbourg, Thursday 25 June 2009, 12 noon, Chamber)

I now have a great pleasure to welcome Borut Pahor, Prime Minister of Slovenia and an old good friend of our Assembly.

When you first came to our Assembly in 1992, Slovenia - then newly independent country - was negotiating to become member of the Council of Europe. And just a year later you joined us as a fully-fledged member, leading your country’s delegation.

As the East and the West of Europe were slowly coming together, the former Yugoslavia was breaking into pieces. Luckily, Slovenia broke free in a peaceful manner and has since been a beacon for stability in a politically stormy region. No wonder that your concern for stability guided your work in this Assembly, notably in urging European countries adopt stricter controls over the flows of conventional arms. For the rule of law - and NOT the rule of the jungle - is the surest way to secure lasting peace and prosperity that we all want for our countries.

The Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly, as you once stressed, is a wonderful classroom for democracy in building Greater Europe, Europe of citizens. Let us use this meeting point fully for spreading our message of peace through dialogue and the power of mind.

Your experience as parliamentarian and now head of Government of Slovenia is of great interest to us at this moment in time when you country chairs the Committee of Ministers of our Organisation.

Mr Pahor, we look forward to listening to you.