Dear Mayors, Deputy Mayors and other representatives of European capitals,

"Welcome to Ljubljana — for me the most beautiful city in the world! I am sure you feel the same way about your cities."

I am glad that so many of you decided to come to this meeting, although I would have liked to see here the mayors of each and every capital of EU member states, candidate countries and EU membership aspiring countries. Namely, I do believe that such conferences are crucial to exchange experience, gain knowledge and widen our understanding of how capitals should be governed. We all face similar problems, but we often use different ways to tackle them — some more efficient than others. Therefore, it is important we share our experience, avoid mistakes of others and use good solutions.

This year is the year of intercultural dialogue, in the framework of which many meetings, conferences, forums and panels are being organised. But in time intercultural dialogue will become ever more important. Disappearing borders in an increasingly interconnected Europe bring tolerance and respect of differences to the foreground. No matter how different we are, it is important we learn to live together.

The challenge of modern times and times ahead is how to integrate increasing cultural and ethnical diversities. Those of us who will learn how to do it, will develop tolerant and open capitals, others will create intolerant cities. We have to know that tolerance most often derives from psychological reasons, seeded in our minds. It is the »fictitious« walls that divide people and dehumanize those »on the other side«. Therefore, it is only right that all cities enable the development of different cultures with their art centres, schools and social clubs, as diversity brings fascination and wealth. Multicultural projects should by no means be a passing one-year whim at a national level, instead they should be undertaken at regional, pan-European and global levels.

New generations are coming that will redefine their identity. These generations are born in Europe and feel to be European citizens, irrespective of the country in which they were born. They attend European schools in different states, they wish to start families and find jobs. This is why we should be united in our actions and take any type of diversity as a challenge, as something we can embrace and cherish. Diversity is important, intriguing and enlightening.

The relation between the state and its capital is another relevant issue. It is important that the capital is granted a special status, as most often capitals are also the administrative, educational, economic, financial and cultural centres of states. Consequently, the dialogue between the national and city authorities is of crucial importance and its absence hinders the work of all stakeholders. It is therefore essential that the status and role of the capital in legally defined, providing for the highest level of self-government and autonomy. Regulating the system of capital financing is equally important. Capitals need own funding, without which they cannot efficiently play their role in public fund raising, project implementation and intensive development.

I hope you will enjoy your stay in Ljubljana. I wish our city would win your hearts and let you feel its charm and magic, even if just for a brief moment. The hospitality of citizens, their openness to all visitors and mostly the romantic character of the city are more than enough reasons to come back to Ljubljana.

Welcome again.