Especially through its role of an active player, contributor and promoter of security, stability, peace and democracy in South - East Europe Slovenia has demonstrated that it is willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of the membership. Secretary General, we firmly believe that the beginning of the democratization process in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has enabled all countries in the region to return to a path of peace and regional and bilateral cooperation. The modern understanding of security is indisputably affiliated with the concept of the regional cooperation. This is why the regional policy has to be the vital element of the security policy of any state. Security is not the sole responsibility of single states, assured by their military power.
Security is a collective responsibility.
And in such circumstances the importance of regional dimension of security policy of each state becomes crucial and the actual geopolitical position of the states gains in importance and Slovenia's geopolitical position is significantly determining its security policy. Slovenia has actively participated in the process of stabilization and normalization of relations in the region. As a donor country Slovenia is participating in numerous projects of the Stability Pact in the field of democratization and human rights, Economic reconstruction and development and demining. Slovenia is also one of the largest investors in the region, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia, where we have contributed to the creation of several thousands jobs. It is necessary to stress that membership in Partnership for Peace is an important guaranty for the security of the region.