NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor attended Lisbon NATO Summit
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, accompanied by a delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Žbogar, and the Minister of Defence, Dr Ljubica Jelušič, attended the NATO Summit held 19 and 20 November in Lisbon.
At the end of the first day, heads of state and government adopted the Alliance's new strategic concept defining NATO's mission, tasks and methods of operation in the 21st century. Slovenia is satisfied both with the content of the document, as well as with the process leading to this document, in which it actively participated. It is of particular importance to Slovenia that the NATO continues to follow Article 5 of the Washington Treaty binding all Parties to collective defence against any threat in line with the principle "all for one, one for all". According to the new concept, NATO will also adjust to new threats and challenges, such as terrorism, cyber threats, threats to energy safety, etc.
Slovenia is especially pleased that the new strategic concept emphasizes the NATO's open-door policy and the significance of strengthening the partnership with the Western Balkans. It is of particular significance that the Russian Federation is defined as the Alliance's strategic partner. The new strategic concept underlines NATO's commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and to the strengthening of relations with the EU. At the close of the Summit, Prime Minister Pahor said that "Slovenian for the first time participated in drawing up a new strategic concept and co-created it. Our wishes were included and we are satisfied with the document." Our suggestions were observed and included in the document, in particularly those concerning the Alliance's open-door policy and Western Balkans, as well as the importance of relations with Russia. "At a working dinner, we also touched upon the relations between the European Union and NATO, especially in light of the issue that I raised and encouraged to debate, namely Turkey," stressed Prime Minister Pahor. It is important for the Slovenian policy to be involved in these discussions, to present and try to implement its views. "We have acquired enough prestige and respect in the European Union and in NATO to advocate and also implement our views," added Prime Minister Pahor and recalled that Slovenia is observed and respected when it comes to the issue of the Western Balkans.
The second day of the summit was dedicated to Afghanistan. The leaders adopted a Lisbon Summit Declaration, which summarises all discussed topics, adopted decisions and guidelines for the future work. All countries participating in the ISAF operation, representatives of the Afghan government, UN, EU, World Bank and Japan held a discussion on Afghanistan. At the end of the summit, a process of transition of security responsibilities to Afghan authorities was announced to start at the beginning of 2011. This does not imply a complete withdrawal of NATO from the country but a gradual shift in the type of help. Slovenia agrees and supports this process. Regarding Afghanistan, Prime Minister Pahor stressed that "Slovenia understands the need for the international community to be engaged and also participates in this engagement; however, I have also turned to Afghan President Karzai and asked him to make every effort and do everything in his power to build a democratic government so that by 2014 the last of the NATO solders would be able to leave Afghanistan." Regarding Slovenia's contribution to the ISAF operation, the Minister of Defence, Ljubica Jelušič, said that "one of the adopted documents concerning the situation in Afghanistan also indicates that participation of NATO forces will be increased in supportive role and decreased in combat." It is very significant that, at this summit, new forms of contributions to Afghanistan were announced by a number of countries. There are few countries that talk about increasing their military role; the majority intend to increase their engagement in training and development activities. "Today, we all started heading towards a transition officially announced for the beginning of 2011," stressed Minister Jelušič.
The NATO summit concluded with a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, addressing the areas of practical cooperation on the basis of common interests, including Afghanistan, fight against drug trafficking, piracy, terrorism and proliferation. The meeting is a new step towards building relations with Russia and a joint statement was adopted. Slovenia has always been supportive of a quality leap forward in relations with Russia and has, within the Alliance, consistently emphasised the importance of strengthening mutual dialogue, in light of the need to jointly deal with open security issues in the Euro-Atlantic area. “It is important and we are pleased that Russia is considered a strategic partner of NATO, a country against which NATO does not stand,” stressed Minister Žbogar, adding that Russia is a strategic ally with which NATO wants to build relations. Prime Minister Pahor said that “Slovenia supports joint Russia-NATO missile defense system. The security situation has changed; Russia is no longer a NATO target and NATO is no longer a target of Russia. We are in favour of enhanced and dynamic cooperation between NATO and Russia.”
The reformed Alliance will become more efficient and economical; it will expand cooperation with international actors and remain committed to long-term partnership with Afghanistan.