[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 28 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Page 1302]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Janez Jansa of 
Slovenia

July 10, 2006

    President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for coming. It's been 
a really fascinating discussion we've had. First, I want to thank you 
for your friendship. I thank you for your leadership. I really 
appreciate the fact that you have made the courageous decision to help 
two young democracies, Afghanistan and Iraq, succeed. Your contributions 
in Afghanistan and Iraq will make a difference in achieving peace. And 
so thank you for that very much.
    I really appreciate your briefing on your neighborhood. The Prime 
Minister is a man who has got clear vision. He understands how to 
explain problems in a way that will help yield results. And so the fact 
that you talked about the Balkans in such clear fashion will help us 
work with you to achieve certain objectives. I want to thank you for 
that.
    I fondly remember my visit to your beautiful country. It was a 
spectacular visit. I came back to the States and I told people that if 
you really want to see an interesting slice of heaven, go to Slovenia. 
It's got a country that's got a lot to it. But the most important thing, 
it's got wonderful people. And I look forward to working with you, Mr. 
Prime Minister. I'm confident that by working together, we can improve 
the lives of our respective peoples as well as improve the lives of 
those who are struggling against forms of government that won't allow 
them to have free expression, won't allow them to self-govern.
    And so welcome to the White House, and thank you for our wonderful 
meeting.
    Prime Minister Jansa. Esteemed Mr. President, thank you very much 
for inviting me and my delegation to the White House. We still remember 
your visit in Slovenia, and we hope to continue with good cooperation in 
the future.
    I found very useful your information regarding the development of 
events in the region of Western Balkans. I'm glad we share the same 
views regarding the prospectus of--in Western Balkans regarding the 
security and also the NATO. In spite of the fact that Slovenia is a 
small country, it completed its allotment of troops in the NATO 
operations.
    Based on the fact that we got a lot of help during our entering the 
NATO--and European Union, we got a lot of help--we feel that now it's 
our obligation that we help others to do the same. As I mentioned 
before, Slovenia will be presiding the European Union in 2008, during 
which time there will be a summit between the European Union countries 
and the United States. We would be very happy if we could welcome you 
then in Slovenia.
    President Bush. Thanks for coming. Appreciate it very much. Thank 
you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:51 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. Prime Minister Jansa spoke in Slovenian, and his remarks were 
translated by an interpreter.