NEWS
Prime Minister Borut Pahor at the UN General Assembly: "For a world based on human, social and environmental values."
On the second day of his working visit to the USA, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, made his very first appearance before the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, the Slovenian Prime Minister re-affirmed Slovenia’s commitment to the United Nations and its Charter and referred to Slovenia's candidacy for membership of the UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Pahor highlighted in particular the importance of further efforts of the most developed world toward such a development of mankind that would not be solely based on economic indicators: "There is a general agreement on the need for a more efficient and coordinated global action to face new global challenges, which pose a threat to security, prosperity and freedom. While remaining in the centre of global management structures, the United Nations Organisation must nevertheless adapt to these challenges, which requires a more efficient and coordinated global action. As for Slovenia, the consolidation of global management means the renewal of the joint commitment to multilateralism."
The Prime Minister went on to focus on the importance of reforms concerning the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly. In this context, he also mentioned the significance of peace-keeping missions that will consolidate other activities of the Organisation related to the maintenance of international peace and stability, including preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peace-building. He also called for the continuation of reforms of international economic and financial systems that should reflect global development needs, while giving more consideration to developing countries: "We must all build a world, in which economic indicators will not be the only criterion for an advanced society. Human, social and ecological values must also become a significant segment of our criteria, " added Prime Minister Pahor. In this context, he pointed to the importance of a closer cooperation between the United Nations, The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the G20.
The Slovenian Prime Minister expressed his regret that on account of the farreaching impact of development trends, the world continues to face an increasing climate change challenge. In this context, Mr Pahor described last year as a year of lost opportunities. "Climate change is a serious issue, the loss of biodiversity is unparalleled and too many people all around the world already suffer the consequences. In some cases the very existence of individual members of the United Nations has been threatened, " observed Prime Minister Pahor. He also looked back to the time following the fall of the Berlin Wall, when Western Europe opened its gates to Eastern and Central European countries, which was crucial for building a modern Europe of democratic values. The decision to pursue the enlargement of Euro-Atlantic integrations was therefore a decision to pursue stability. In this respect, the Slovenian Prime Minister stressed that undertaking the commitment to enlargement toward the Western Balkans is an extremely important factor, as it might crucially contribute to progress in that region. In this context, he also mentioned the resolution of the UN General Assembly on the endorsement of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence, adding that this resolution paved the way for a dialogue, which the European Union is willing to support. "The democratically elected leaders of the Western Balkan countries have a historical responsibility to encourage reconciliation and re-establish mutual trust," stressed Prime Minister Pahor. Moreover, he mentioned the "Brdo Process", which he initiated together with the Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor in Slovenia a few months ago to promote dialogue between political leaders in the region.
At the close of his speech at the UN General Assembly, the Slovenian Prime Minister said that Slovenia plays an active role in the international community and is well aware of its responsibilities. "I would therefore like to reiterate our commitment to the candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2012–2013 period," emphasized the Prime Minister. Slovenia considers this candidacy as an opportunity to additionally contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security as well as to a peaceful settlement of disputes. Prime Minister Pahor went on to express Slovenia's commitment to the rule of law, the respect for human rights, international law and international humanitarian law. In his opinion, the candidacy reflects the importance attached by Slovenia to the role of the United States in the increasingly interdependent and complex world, as well as its wish to use its rich multilateral experience to further strengthen the goals of the United Nations. "Slovenia’s development was shaped by extraordinary circumstances, which are the very reason for placing an even stronger emphasis on the permanent commitment to noble goals and principles as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations," added the Prime Minister.
On the margins of the session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Slovenian Prime Minister had several bilateral meetings. Among others, he met with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haris Silajdžić, with whom he exchanged views on the current session of the UN General Assembly and discussed topical issues related to the situation in the Western Balkans.