NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor attends the conference "Together for the European Union: Contribution of the Western Balkans to European future".
A conference entitled "Together for the European Union: Contribution of the Western Balkans to European future" was held today at Brdo pri Kranju. Co-hosted by the Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor and his Croatian counterpart Jadranka Kosor, and attended by five Prime Ministers from the countries of the relevant region, the conference was a platform for launching an informal form of cooperation entitled the "Brdo Process", which, according to Mr Pahor, also remains open for all those who were not present today.
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA, vir: UKOM)
In his statement to the press, the Slovenian Prime Minister emphasised that "today, leaders of the countries, of which some do not even recognize each other, were sitting at the same table". Mr Pahor went on to say that the talks have shown that in spite of the existing mutual differences, these countries do need each other. The problem highlighted by Mr Pahor as critical is indeed mutual recognition. This problem, however, should not be the reason to put aside this process of cooperation. "Let us use it as an informal form of a dialogue, which may help us resolve the basic problems", said Prime Minister Pahor.
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA, vir: UKOM)
The two hosts described the Conference as a success, while the Croatian Prime Minister, Ms Kosor, added that through this meeting "a new bridge has been constructed, which will contribute to a clear and real support to the countries of the South-Eastern Europe in joining the Euro-Atlantic structures." Mr Pahor and Ms Kosor particularly highlighted the arrival of the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Špirić, describing it arrival as an act of bravery, as, according to the Slovenian Prime Minister, Mr Špirić had been under great pressure not to attend the Conference. At the close of the conference, the participants adopted a joint declaration, in which they reaffirmed their determination that within the Brdo Process, they would continue to meet regularly, to provide mutual support and to exchange experience obtained during the EU integration processes.
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA, vir: UKOM)