Janez Drnovšek, President of Slovenia: Slovenia's Security and Defence are Becoming Part of European and International Security

"Since its experience with two world wars, Europe has built its future to trust, cooperation and healthy competition which promotes the development of the broader community. Slovenia has outlined its future in the company of countries with which it shares democratic values. We have opted for a path of cooperation and participation with countries that keep to partnership, solidarity and stable global development. Slovenia's security and defence are becoming part of European and international security.

NATO has been increasingly providing a framework for non-military activities. Even as a Partnership for Peace country, Slovenia participated actively in efforts for the long-term security stabilisation of our southeast neighbourhood. The renewed escalation of violence in Kosovo, which has distressed us once again, serves as a fresh reminder to the international community that the situation in Kosovo calls for a rapid and efficient response. In 1999, NATO managed to put an end to violence in Kosovo. Now, the province needs a new strategy by the international community to find a key to the appeasement of internal conflicts and the promotion of economic development. NATO will play a crucial role in this process.

NATO is getting ever more intensively involved with new threats, especially terrorism. Terrorism hits the innocent, strikes unpredictably and always instigates new hatred and disputes. There is no excuse for it, as problems in society can only be resolved with due respect of legislation and international law. In cracking down on terrorism, the international community must become even more efficient in promoting balanced global development.

By joining NATO, Slovenia is achieving a goal set a decade ago. Membership of NATO and the EU is also a manifestation of good cooperation between all the ministries and the National Assembly, which provided permanent and steadfast support to these two goals. The citizens of Slovenia also provided support for the correctness of this decision at last year's referendum on NATO membership. I am confident that in endeavouring for a relaxed and peaceful coexistence, Slovenia will be just as unified and determined as a member of NATO."

Anton Rop, Prime Minister: A Safe and Stable Environment - the Precondition for All-around Development

"Our country has become a member of the great Euro-Atlantic community of countries that are united by common democratic values and secure their fundamental security interests through the collective defence system. We are joining the association of democratic and developed countries, which in the past five and a half decades have established the most effective political and defence alliance in the world. NATO is also the only organisation maintaining trans-Atlantic security and defence bonds and nurturing an efficient dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic, which is crucial for the successful resolution of global issues and for responding to security challenges and threats.

A safe and stable environment is a fundamental precondition for steadfast economic, social, scientific, technological and cultural development of every country, nation and individual. It is by joining NATO that we wish to maintain and reinforce this secure environment to the benefit of the country's steady development. Yet we will also contribute to better security in Europe and the world by actively participating in ensuring peace and stability - together with members of the Alliance and under the leadership of NATO, we are already working in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

September 11, 2001, and March 11, 2004 have had a profound impact on our perception of security. No country in the world is completely safe from, or immune to, the security threats of today. The security threats are becoming too complex to be addressed by a single state or organisation, no matter how strong they may be. The only answer to the multitude of challenges is the establishment of a strong and widespread security network of diverse institutions, organisations and states. Networking, coordination, cooperation, partnership and solidarity are crucial elements of response to the challenges of the 21st century; they are crucial in providing for security, stability and our common development. Joining NATO will strengthen these ties even further."

Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Minister: Joining NATO Is a Result of the Decision for an Independent Slovenia

"For citizens of Slovenia, joining NATO is an event of historic proportions. NATO membership - as well as EU entry on May 1 - is a result of the decision for an independent Slovenia and the integration into the community of developed Western nations. This decision was reaffirmed at last year's referendum. By joining NATO, Slovenia will reinforce its international status - its position and say will be equal to the position and say of other member states. NATO takes decisions based on consensus and equal participation of all members. It is an association of countries that respect the same values: human rights, basic liberties, the rule of law, democracy and international law, based upon the respect of the Charter of the United Nations. NATO's chief task is to guarantee its members' security and freedom. Slovenia's security will improve substantially due to the solidarity and mutual assistance within the Alliance, made possible by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. As a NATO member, Slovenia will better affirm itself as a responsible member of the international community. It will take part in the global dialogue and in decisions regarding the essential security, ethical and political challenges of the Euro-Atlantic area in the 21st century."

Anton Grizold, Defence Minister: Slovenia Can Make a Difference in the Broader International Political and Security Environment

"The North-Atlantic Alliance has become a bond of 26 countries, thereby extending the circle of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law even further. For Slovenia, it has ceased being a goal and has become a mechanism for fulfilling our national and general democratic values and interests. Slovenia must therefore, as much as other member states, use it wisely, effectively and above all, responsibly. Ensuring Slovenian security is namely becoming a constituent part of the Euro-Atlantic area as well as part of broader international security and the borders of the Alliance are becoming our outer borders. Despite being a relatively small country in geographical terms, Slovenia can make a difference in the broader international political and security environment. The Alliance offers us an opportunity to influence the way this environment works. And I believe Slovenia should welcome this opportunity open-handedly and open-mindedly."

Ladislav Lipič, Chief of Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces: From Total to Collective Defence

"As Slovenia - and consequently, its armed forces - have entered NATO, one of its key strategic goals has been achieved, a goal that took a decade of efforts. The defence system will take on a whole new form, as we are making the transition from total to collective defence. We will be recipients of collective security, but we are also aware of the obligations that this advantage imposes upon us. In planning organisational structure, we are taking into account a new profile of capabilities, which is based on modified missions and tasks of the Slovenian army. These tasks make it possible to upgrade and maintain all key operational capabilities that support the implementation of the fundamental national and security defence tasks. One of our contributions to collective security will be a rapid reaction force, which will be well equipped and trained. Yet our goal is to equip and train all our units to the same degree, making them capable of handling even the most difficult tasks at home and abroad in collective defence operations. Despite rapid technological advancement and the introduction of new, modern systems and equipment, the soldier remains our greatest asset. One of the basic goals of the reform of the armed forces it to create highly trained and motivated soldiers, who will be capable of performing the tasks entrusted to them in the domestic and international environments."