Brussels, 25/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the high representative of the EU for the CFSP, Javier Solana, have expressed their condolence at the death of Janez Drnovšek. The former president of Slovenia (2003-2007) died on Saturday 23 February after a long illness. “The Slovenian people have lost one of the fathers of their statehood and a great man who led his nation at a crucial time in its history”, said Mr Solana in a press release published on the same day. Mr Drnovšek will be remembered as a great leader “who led the country from a period of transition into a fully fledged independent and democratic state”, echoed Mr Barroso, who also laid emphasis on the role played in preparations for his country's accession to the EU. Both men paid tribute to the European beliefs of a man who always defended the values of tolerance and solidarity. (A.B.)