President Andrej Kiska addressed the National Council of the Slovak Republic on Friday, speaking on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Slovak Constitution:

“Our calendar is quite rich in public holidays and memorial days. Some of them let us remember the events that shaped our civilization, our country and our civil society. Others celebrate the heroism of our ancestors or refer to our traditional beliefs and culture. Some date back only a few decades, while others celebrate events that occurred several hundred years or two thousand years ago.

A smaller number of these significant and symbolic days, which we remember each year, relate to recent events. Such celebrations include 17 November, celebrating the defeat of Communist totalitarianism. The first of January commemorates the emergence of the Slovak Republic. And today is Constitution Day, when the adoption of a constitution 25 years ago signalled the creation of an independent Slovakia.

These are the important moments in modern history many people currently living in our country have experienced first-hand. These events remain in the memories of each of us from the middle or older generation. They live on in our own feelings, values and opinions.

Many people remember that, following the adoption of the Constitution and the establishment of the state, political power repeatedly and unashamedly trampled on the constitutional foundations of the young Slovak Republic. It took almost two decades before the constitutional authority found a majority to remedy the most brutal abuse of powers in the history of independent Slovakia and revoked the Mečiar amnesties, what had been the symbol of an authoritative, unconstitutional and unrelenting way of exercising state power.

This is why the permanent source of sincere and genuine patriotism associated with Constitution Day is not the legends about the actions and motivations of those who committed themselves to Slovak statehood. We should be celebrating the constitutional order in Slovakia rather than trying to transcribe history through purposeful nationalistic myths. We should no longer be dividing members of society according to what someone was thinking and doing at one time. This is because our country was also built, honestly served and brought into a solid partnership with the European democratic community by those who disagreed with the garniture that was in power 25 years ago.

We should raise the constitution above these disputes. We should avoid telling people how they should feel in recalling the events of a quarter century ago. We – politicians with executive and legislative power - should approach Constitution Day with great humility.

We are celebrating Constitution Day today because its adoption laid down the foundations for a free and democratic Slovakia. We live in a country where everyday civil life and governance are dictated and framed by the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. The rule of law clearly buttresses modern society today and is a natural guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms of people living in Slovakia. Only the Constitution ensures that, after unworthy rulers in a democratic society have left the scene, there can be those who will lead the state and society to the general good.

Both the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and our state standing on its foundations have proved to exhibit admirable viability in spite of the many challenges over the past 25 years. The Constitution itself is a living document that has undergone a number of changes. Some of our sovereign rights have been transferred, under strictly determined conditions, to joint decision-making within the European Union. We have established institutions such as the Ombudsman and Judicial Council, and we have abolished the immunity of parliamentary representatives against criminal prosecution.

All of this is evidence of efforts to improve democratic processes. In contrast, common political will has enabled us to make no changes to the democratic spirit of our constitution. Let us appreciate it, because when we look into today's world, we see that it is not a commonplace.

Today is the day when the fundamental law of a sovereign state was adopted, therefore it has a solid claim to be in the calendar of public holidays. But, as President of the Slovak Republic, I am convinced that we should have a greater ambition – for this day to have a firm place in the hearts of people in Slovakia; for it to be the source and symbol of honest patriotism and pride in our country. But this requires more than just celebrating the Constitution. It demands remembering not only the Constitution, but also constitutionality, and respect for democratic rules.

It is the duty of politicians to manage the State well and to use the power vested in us by the Constitution so that no person in Slovakia feels forgotten, excluded or helpless. Today, tomorrow - constantly and relentlessly - we must strengthen the trust of people in the State, and in its constitutional institutions. Institutions that let us freely develop our country. We must set an example in respecting the traditions of a democratic state. We must show deep respect toward restricting and limiting power. We must strengthen the checks and balances between constitutional bodies, something that is the cornerstone of any healthy democratic society. To cultivate respect for the rule of law, equality before the law, active protection of the rights and freedoms of every human being and respect toward minorities and minority opinions.

Patriotism means more than just our beautiful language, culture, traditions and history. It also means respect for the law, respect for justice, respect for solidarity and respect for tolerance. Respect for the values on which the Constitution of the Slovak Republic is based as a sovereign, democratic and legal state. This is the task before us that we must remember today, on Constitution Day, and try to fulfil every day in our words and deeds.”