Minister Kajzer at the Bled Strategic Forum: Europe must play an active role in shaping its own future

Minister Tone Kajzer | Author STA

Prime Minister Janez Janša also addressed the participants, setting out his views on the key challenges that Europe is facing in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape and on Europe's role in shaping the European and global order.

In his address, Minister Kajzer emphasised that, over the past two decades, the Bled Strategic Forum has developed into an important international platform for discussions on key foreign policy, security and geopolitical issues. The themes that have characterised previous editions of the Forum have evolved in line with changes in the international environment, shifting focus from regional cooperation and development to issues of the global order, power and security.

"We must deal with the world as it is, and not as we would like it to be. At the same time, our values inspire us to build the world we want to see. The future does not emerge in a vacuum; we must shape our own future," stressed the Minister.

Minister Kajzer spoke of the consequences of globalisation. While it has brought significant economic progress and lifted millions of people out of poverty, it has also created new political and social challenges. He drew attention to the difficulties facing democratic societies, the growing popularity of populism and the limitations of the multilateral system. He emphasised the security risks posed by autocratic regimes, citing Russia's aggression against Ukraine as an example of how such regimes can have repercussions that extend far beyond national borders.

Balancing security, partnerships and values in Europe

According to Minister Kajzer, the European Union is facing a serious test. "What we need is a shape of Europe that is as ambitious as its founding fathers intended, but that is also fit for today's challenges. This means we must take a greater share of responsibility for our own defence and maintain a strong bond between Europe and the United States of America," he said.

Europe cannot build its future in isolation. The Minister therefore emphasised the importance of cooperating with reliable partners in Asia and Latin America, particularly with regard to the economy and technology. Europe must also engage in dialogue with countries and cultures that do not necessarily share all its views on human freedom, human rights, the role of the state and the rule of law. This does not mean renouncing our own values; we are simply minimising risks and avoiding excessive dependence. Our values are not an obstacle to protecting our interests. They act as a compass, helping us to determine which interests to promote and how," he underlined.

Owing to its geographical location at the intersection of Western, Central and South-Eastern Europe, and its historical experience, Slovenia has the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to debates on the future and shape of Europe. For the past two decades, the Bled Strategic Forum has provided a platform for this kind of dialogue, bringing together individuals from different countries, regions and perspectives. According to Minister Kajzer, the values upon which the European family is founded are the same as those upon which the Slovenian state was built 35 years ago. It is precisely these values that can bring the countries of the European Union closer together and attract new members in the future.

Central and South-Eastern Europe in the midst of geopolitical turmoil

During the Forum, Minister Kajzer participated in the Foreign Ministers' Session entitled 'Geopolitical Turmoil: Central and South-Eastern Europe in a World of Corridors, Security and Enlargement'. The ministers discussed topics including changing geopolitical relations, security challenges, strategic connectivity and the future of EU enlargement.

The discussion was also attended by Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia; Timčo Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia; Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary; and Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

The participants paid particular attention to transport, energy and other strategic corridors. They also discussed European security and the importance of EU enlargement for stability and security on the European continent.

Minister Kajzer: "Slovenia is strengthening its cooperation with neighbouring countries and other partners in the wider region. Furthermore, it is striving to promote the resilience and stability of the Western Balkans. This area has also been a key priority for the new Slovenian Government during its first two months in office. The region offers far more opportunities for cooperation than issues that could cause disagreement. The ports of Koper and Rijeka play an important role in this regard, strengthening the economic ties between Central Europe, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean."

On EU enlargement, the Minister said that it was not just a technical issue, but also a geopolitical and strategic decision. "We must not allow a power vacuum to emerge in the Western Balkans that could be filled by other geopolitical actors. What we need is a more pragmatic approach and swifter, more decisive action. There are 27 members in the EU family and reaching a consensus is not always easy. However, where there's a will, there's a way!"

On the first day of the Forum, Minister Kajzer is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Ervin Ibrahimović, Montenegro's Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yevhen Perebyinis, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, which won the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

Zunanji ministri na panelu | Author STA