NEWS

Prime Minister’s press conference

“Slovenia has found itself in a position where its credibility and reputation in the international community have been put at stake. In such circumstances, the Government, in particular, bearing a great responsibility for leading the country, must have clearly defined priorities in terms of goals to be achieved. In this situation, the position was taken at today’s session that the Government should do everything in its power to maintain and enhance its credibility and reputation,” said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, when opening the press conference held today after the 11th regular Government session.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

The Government today took note of the audit report on the annual financial statement of the budget for 2007, and decided to resubmit the proposed annual financial statement of the budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2007, as specified in the resolution of 9 October 2008, to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia for consideration. The ministers took this decision after the National Assembly’s vote on ratifying Albania’s and Croatia’s NATO accession protocols was postponed yesterday due to an announced obstruction by the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) because the aforementioned annual financial statement had not been approved.

 

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government was forced to take such decision, adding that this event would certainly have consequences linked to confidence in the Slovenian political arena. He said that two entirely unrelated issues had been tabled for debate in the National Assembly yesterday – one relating to the domestic situation and the other to foreign policy and security interests of the Republic of Slovenia. The first one requires a simple majority to be adopted, whereas the second one requires a two-thirds majority of the vote. “It is clear that, without the opposition’s votes, the necessary two-thirds majority cannot be achieved,” said the Prime Minister, stressing that there was no need for such action on the part of the opposition.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

“I believe that such action deepens mistrust among the political forces in Slovenia at a moment when we should join forces to overcome the current domestic and international challenges,” said the Prime Minister regarding yesterday’s action by the opposition. He drew attention to the risk of letting internal political differences of opinion, which are usual for democratic societies, influence decision-making on issues concerning foreign and security policy. “There was no such awareness yesterday,” said the Prime Minister, “but we hope this will prevail in the continuation of the session.” In view of the Government’s decision, the conditions for the session to continue are now fulfilled, he said.

 

Despite dissatisfaction, the Prime Minister added that such situations required political wisdom, prudence and clear priorities in terms of goals to be achieved. The Government, within its authority, is obliged to do everything in its power to protect the national interests of the Republic of Slovenia.