Ten years are just a flash in the history of a State, and in our case it is the glimpse that flashed in the sky of South-Eastern Europe. The Slovenian story is becoming a sample case, studied in detail particularly by those who in the years of our achievements were the victims of political errors. These included: an aggressive and self-destructive nationalist policy, of self- isolation, ethnic cleansing, and historically outmoded models of expanding the territory of one's own or the neighbouring state at the expense of neighbours and their minorities. The political, social, and economic results of Slovenia have been openly praised and promoted by the political elite of much larger countries than our own, wishing that those which are less successful would follow our example. For those who are unable to grasp the events in the Balkans, we keep re-affirming and proving the preciousness of our knowledge, analyses, and the ability to propose the solutions when others remain without any. We have more and more possibilities and necessities to present and explain our identity, our history, our destiny and achievements. It is nice to be a Slovenian, either in the Western, Central, or South-Eastern Europe, because we are becoming known and respected by more and more people. We have now, and we had in the past, a historical opportunity. We made the best of it for our own good and for our broad environment, and therefore we are enjoying the well-deserved recognition and respect.

Let us rejoice together!