The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, who is currently attending the NATO Summit meeting in Bucharest, in today’s address before the Heads of State and Government of the North-Atlantic Alliance, advocated speeding up the process of integrating the Western Balkan countries into Euro-Atlantic structures, and stressed the importance of cooperation between the European Union and NATO in ensuring security and stability in the world.
(Photo: Bobo)
Speaking to journalists, the Prime Minister said that although Macedonia had not received the invitation to join NATO, the worst-case scenario had not materialised because the Heads of State or Government had decided that Macedonia could be issued with the invitation – without having to wait for a new NATO summit – as soon as the name issue was resolved. “The disappointment of Macedonia’s representatives is understandable and it is similar to Slovenia’s disappointment when the 1997 NATO Madrid Summit did not issue a membership invitation and Slovenia had to wait for five years,” said the Prime Minister, reiterating Slovenian support for Macedonia in joining the Euro-Atlantic structures. Slovenia has continually advocated the open door policy and the undertaking that Macedonia will not have to wait until the next NATO summit before receiving its invitation to become a full member is largely a result of Slovenia’s perseverance.
(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and current President of the European Council, Janez Janša, also had a meeting with Macedonia’s Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, at which PM Janša said he hoped Macedonia would continue to be constructive in its efforts and would not break off negotiations. The very continuation of the negotiations and a compromise on the name issue could indeed move things forward very quickly. PM Janša added that Greece, too, had made a significant and binding commitment to be constructive.
(Photo: Bobo)
In the opinion of the Heads of State and Government, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia meets the criteria for membership of the Alliance, the sole problem being the name issue, which was also the reason why Greece used its power of veto and why several other countries expressed their ‘internal solidarity’ with Greece. “Different countries naturally have different views on different issues, their views differing according to how relevant the issues on which decisions are being taken are to them,” said the Prime Minister.
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The Heads of State and Government today issued invitations to Albania and Croatia, whereas Ukraine and Georgia have not yet been offered the Membership Action Plan or given the status of aspirant country. The NATO Heads of State and Government nevertheless agreed that the latter two countries would become members. They confirmed the beginning of an intensified dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina and with Montenegro which constitutes a gateway opening the way to eventual NATO membership.
PM Janez Janša described the atmosphere at the Bucharest Summit, “The Summit is both interesting and arduous. NATO is now taking decisions in different circumstances than it used to, and deliberations are more demanding and time-consuming.” Apart from the decision on enlargement, Afghanistan is also at the forefront of attention; the Heads of State and Government will tomorrow have separate meetings with the Ukrainian and Russian Presidents.
(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)
In his address today, Prime Minister Janez Janša said that he was pleased to see the two aspiring countries of the Western Balkan region, Croatia and Albania, being invited to join the Alliance. He also welcomed the progress made by Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro on their path towards joining NATO. PM Janša said that such endeavours by Western Balkan countries sent a clear message to other countries in the region. “We are pursuing the aim of establishing a wider area of prosperity, security and shared values and are thus making every effort to ensure that the objective of Europe as an integrated whole will not be postponed to the distant future,” affirmed the Prime Minister.
(Photo: Bobo)
The Slovenian Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the North-Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, this being the only way to achieve maximum effectiveness. He advocated the European Union’s involvement in NATO’s strategic deliberations, given the EU’s increasing importance and contribution to ensuring global security. In turn, the European Union’s concepts are based, in his words, on strong North Atlantic connections. “Within the meaning of transatlantic consensus, Slovenia supports solutions that will offer new challenges reaching beyond existing agreements,” said the Prime Minister.
Changes to security policy have made NATO even more attractive both to the Member States and aspirants; moreover, by fulfilling its key task of guaranteeing collective and indivisible security, NATO has become an alliance of countries that ensures stability in new areas and in new ways, stressed Prime Minister Janez Janša.
(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)
On this occasion, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and current President of the European Council, PM Janez Janša, had a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. PM Janša informed Mr Rudd about the priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency; they also discussed cooperation between the European Union and Australia in addressing global challenges such as climate change and negotiations within the World Trade Organisation. The Australian Prime Minister said he appreciated the progress in strengthening and formalising relations between the European Union and Australia. PM Janša and PM Rudd also said they were pleased with the excellent relations between the two countries, to which the extensive Slovene community in Australia undoubtedly contributes a great deal. They also touched on the situation in the Western Balkans and in the Asia-Pacific region, and exchanged views on current issues relevant to both regions.
