NEWS

Prime Minister Janša: 'The UN's values change the world for the better by themselves.'

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, today hosted the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Slovenia. In their talks they devoted a great deal of attention to the crisis in Syria before focusing on the situation in the Western Balkans, the role Slovenia has played in the region, and its potential going forward. They also touched upon Slovenia's role in the United Nations and its future.¸

 

'The current developments in our ever more globalised world — where things and events are interlinked and mutually dependent — additionally confirm the need for the United Nations as an organisation distinguished by a global approach and efficient action. The values spread by the United Nations change the world for the better by themselves. Efforts for peace, stability, democracy and respect of human rights are values which – even without the backing of relevant institutional instruments – function by themselves, and it goes without saying that their functioning will be ever more effective when backed by relevant institutions. The United Nations in today’s world constitutes a key factor in global peace and stability. Slovenia has demonstrated its commitments to these goals,' the Slovenian Prime Minister stressed at the joint press conference with the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

 

Mr Ban Ki-moon and Mr Janša agreed that the dependence of certain Western Balkan countries on the international community should be reduced and their integration into Euro-Atlantic structures accelerated; every effort must be made to prevent the risk of events such as those in Srebrenica — or similar events that happened in many of this region's countries after the Second World War — from occurring. The Prime Minister stressed that the Secretary-General's planned visit to Srebrenica would be an important symbolic step that also 'calls for some additional efforts to be made to adjust relevant international law'. The Slovenian Prime Minister also explained that Slovenia would continue its engagement in efforts to amend the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In his view, the legal instruments available to the United Nations must be strengthened; preventive actions are required to stop such serious human rights violations from occurring in the future. The Secretary-General also underlined the great significance of cooperation, reconciliation and the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans — not just for the region itself, but for global stability and peace. He pointed that these countries have already travelled a long road, but an equally important path lies ahead and Slovenia's role in this regard is very important. In the Secretary-General's words, Slovenia has come a long way over the past two decades and is a bridge to other countries in the Western Balkan region, assisting them in joining European and Euro-Atlantic structures. He also recalled the important role played by Slovenia during its EU Council Presidency in 2008.

 

Prime Minister Janša reasserted Slovenia's support for the plan put together by the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, and condemned the mass violations of human rights and attacks on the civilian population in Syria, which have regrettably escalated. 'The UN Security Council blockade was regrettable because it once again obstructed the use of the instruments available to the UN in its efforts to bring a swift end to this conflict, ' the Prime Minister added.

 

The Prime Minister continued by saying that today's talks with the Secretary-General also touched upon some other activities pursued by Slovenia, which are in line with the United Nations' objectives. He pointed to the Euro-Mediterranean University headquartered in Slovenia and its endeavours to promote alliance, civilisation, and East-West dialogue in the region. He also confirmed Slovenia's future active participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

 

The Slovenian Prime Minister also pointed to the fact that the Secretary-General has begun his second five-year term in the United Nations, which is testament to UN members' satisfaction with his work during his first term of office. In the Prime Minister's opinion, the United Nations made significant progress and achieved important successes during that time. 'The steps introduced personally by Mr Ban Ki-Moon helped the United Nations increase its reputation and real power of authority, which was evidenced in several very effective activities regarding either the prevention of conflict in the world or successful interventions to stop the conflicts involving, in particular, mass violations of human rights,' Prime Minister Janša stressed.

 

In his address to the deputies at the National Assembly, the Secretary-General said that Plečnik's Triple Bridge not only adorns our capital but — in a symbolic way — also our history, as we have succeeded in building three bridges: a bridge between the Yugoslav past and the European present, a bridge between the countries of the former common state and the European Union, and a bridge between Slovenia and the United Nations, of which we are a member and within which we strive for peace, security, development and human rights. He also pointed to the great effort Slovenia has made, which deserves to be an example for others and for which he is thankful to Slovenia: accepting refugees, military assistance in Kosovo, and particularly his gratitude for the establishment of the Trust Fund for Demining and the admirable fact that the cleared fields can now be seeded with crops and are safe for children to play there. He talked about 'cleaning' at the symbolic level when pointing to the importance of the constant endeavours made to defuse all types of tensions between nations and countries. He also emphasised his gratitude to Slovenia for expanding the Fund's engagement in minefield clearing to areas outside the region.

 

Ban Ki-moon also thanked Slovenia for offering its expert support — much needed in the EU integration process — to the countries in the region. When talking about development, he underlined the importance of sustainable development, which, given its extensive forests, Slovenia is mindful of. Last but not least, he referred to the words of the Slovenian national anthem, which can be understood as being a call to all the citizens of the world in which no strife shall hold its sway and neighbours will be friends.