[ad_1]
At the ceremony on Saturday at the Klagenfurt country house Wappensaal, Van der Bellen thanked his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor and the governor of the canton of Cologne, Peter Kaiser (SP), for the “courage” to celebrate together. “Krnten has come a long way, a way of reconciliation,” he said.
Van der Bellen was the last speaker at the ceremony, which was attended by Pahor and Kaiser, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens), and the Chancellor Minister responsible for ethnic groups, Susanne Raab (VP). The federal president cited article 8 of the federal Constitution, which imposes on Austria the duty to protect its ethnic groups. “Have we always adhered to it? Have we lived our linguistic and cultural diversity and always resolutely ensure and promote its preservation? Unfortunately, I must admit: No, it was not always like that. Much is only after a long push, late, very late takes place, “he said, obviously referring to the conflict with the village cartels.
“As federal president, I would like to apologize to you, dear members of the Slovenian ethnic group, for the injustice suffered and for the failures in the implementation of constitutionally guaranteed rights,” said the federal president to the applause of some 130 participants at the ceremony. He then repeated this apology in Slovenian. “Kot zvezni predsednik bi se Vam elel iskreno opraviciti za krivice in zamude pri uresnicitvi vaih ustavnih pravic.”
“Krnten is a very special country. It connects Austria and Slovenia in a special way,” said Van der Bellen, emphasizing the bilingual character of the state. “The corners have also accomplished a lot together. Many long open wounds have largely healed,” he said. There are bilingual signs with names of places, media and choirs, bilingual kindergartens, schools and courts, numerous bilingual associations and projects. “And we’ve known for a few days that there will be more financial support from the federal government for this in the future,” he said, referring to Wednesday’s decision to double funding for national minorities. “However, not all has been done yet. Ethnic group policy must be continuously developed. In all countries of the world. It must be adapted to current living conditions and needs.”
Van der Bellen emphasized that the Slovenian ethnic group is “a natural part of Krnt and Austria.” He recalled that in the referendum on October 10, 1920, “a large number of ethnic Slovenians had voted for Crane’s unity and affiliation with Austria.” “Without them, without these votes, the referendum would have turned out differently.”
“As a Tyrolean, with the history of South Tyrol in mind, ethnic group issues are not always just a political issue for me, but a matter of the heart,” stressed the federal president. He is “especially” pleased to welcome Slovenian President Pahor to the ceremony, “You dear Borut.” “For the first time we celebrate this day together. I know it takes courage. From both sides. And for that I am very grateful, dear Governor,” he told Governor Kaiser.
The joint ceremony went “beyond our good personal relations” and “proof of the close neighborly relations between Austria and Slovenia,” Van der Bellen said. “Proof of the good basis for talks and mutual understanding. And it is a sign that Europe is working,” he said, referring to the joint membership of the two countries in the European Union and the Schengen area. “The abolition of border controls will make the border palpable for all of us. Thanks to Europe,” said Van der Bellen, who also emphasized the importance of minorities for Europe. “In the Krnten bilingual schools, Austrian children of Slovenian ethnicity learn with the children of the German-speaking neighborhood and with the children of Slovenia. Together! They learn from each other. They learn together. That gives me confidence! Europe gets closer. This is how I envision our common European future, “he said.
The president of the Central Association of Slovenian Organizations, Manuel Jug, spoke before the federal president, Pahor, Kaiser and, for the Slovenes in Croatia. There were greetings from Kogler and Raab, among others. After the ceremony, the two presidents wanted to visit the CarinthiJA exhibition at Neuer Platz, as well as open a bilingual light sculpture at the Krntner regional government office and a bilingual kindergarten.
