Open letter to the government (about appropriate foreign policy for a new time)

Dear Prime Minister and Members of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia,

A few days ago, after the original March digital version, the printed version of the book was also published Consent for a historical momentwritten by 74 « attentive and well -intentioned » authors, including the signed editors. The writers have described embarrassments in Slovenian politics, and many have expressed serious concerns about international position, mainly because of the shortcomings in the Community of European countries, to which we have belonged to at least since 2004, and which have been given too little attention and goodness in recent years.

As early as January 1990, we proposed in the circle of advocates of Slovenian statehood and democracy::

• regulate relations with Europe « through Ljubljana », « not through Belgrade »;

• We then defined our international position during the Brionic Declaration in July 1991, joining in May 1992 and memberships in NATO and EU memberships in NATO and EU.

• In doing so, Slovenia has ranked among the successful and reputable members of the international community.

By 2008 or all by the end of the Cold War Slovenia maintained and strengthened its favorable international position; Today, on the eve of the anniversary of independence, we – indeed, in a substantially changed international situation – critical external and domestic observers are wondering about the causes of our uncertainty; and above all about appropriate foreign policies for a new time.

It cannot be argued that the United States is retreating from the role of the European protector and the champion of liberal democracy only thanks to current President Trump. His criticisms of European « free driving » in the field of defense and military are justified; His « interaction » policy should be considered at least as some authors in Consent to the historical moment. The USA is a great impact on the whole world. It seems that nothing will be as it was.

Not far from Slovenia, on the European East, on the Baltic and in the Mediterranean, most recently between Israel and Iran, tensions accumulate, with the most attention of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and human losses between Ukraine and Russia. The great responsibility for tension and war is on the side of Russia and its autocratic president, who has allies even in Serbia, and the mayor of Ljubljana. Ljubljana somehow unknowingly or inadvertently landed among the popular sources of all possible (intelligence, economic, cultural…) information, which, as it seems, extend to Belgrade and Kremlin.

Slovenia is somehow shyly joined by one of the shy politics of the European Union, whose honor-with the help of the excellent Foreign Minister Kallas-saves the « directory » of Macron-Morz-Starmer-Tusk. It seems that the main players of the planet are outside Europe: in Moscow, Beijing and Washington, and Europeans strive not to completely push them away. Among the political offers, democracy and autocracy wins the latter. Slovenia has no particular influence or role in all this happening, often advertising with unbelievable and barely understandable moves, but such a situation – at least in the future – is not inevitable.

The most unreasonable was Slovenian propaganda against America and NATO. The decision to recognize the Palestinian state was characteristic and completely useless. The current Slovenian government has not noticed that in the past, previous foreign policy has been carefully and well-intentioned by the self-determination of the Palestinian (but another nation), but did not support the terrorism, which is indicated by ISIS/Daesh, Al-Kaida, Hamas, Hezbolah …, whose programs presuppose the destruction of Israel, ie genocide against the Jewish people. Although it is difficult to defend all Israel military measures, it is not difficult for the majority to understand. In 1991, Israel strongly supported the self -determination of Slovenes, which should not be forgotten.

The EU is facing the biggest challenge: to be able to cope with other world players, discusses the introduction of majority decision -making instead of unanimous. Slovenia, as a small country, of course, cannot propagate majority decision -making. As we wrote in the title of our new book, it is necessary to strive for a European consent. Instead of descending controversy and high -flying rhetoric, Slovenia could contribute to European politics. We need to create a hinterland of like -minded people, perhaps in the circle of Central European and Baltic countries. In this demanding society, Slovenia can only be established with originality and ingenuity, with diplomatic experience and accurate concepts; However, a uniform position of such a group in the wider European context would have greater weight than an individual Slovenian position.

International tensions and wars are increasingly approaching Central Europe, especially Slovenia and Croatia, bordering the Russian lust of the Balkans. It seems that the EU should be postponed or delayed further expansion. The Balkan expansion, despite its general support in Slovenia, cannot benefit from a Slovenian member of the European Commission, who was documented – a secretary of the secret political police in Yugoslav times, which she otherwise denied even at hearings in the Slovenian and European Parliament.

Dear President and Ministers, as you can see, we allowed ourselves to think freely or, based on our experience, about Slovenian diplomatic or political challenges. This thinking seemed necessary to us because Slovenian political embarrassments are also more and more foreign policy embarrassments that require attention and well -being. It would be pleased if the government encouraged a broader debate on these embarrassments and future Slovenian foreign policy.

With respect!

***

Dimitrij Rupel, Peter Jambrek, Ernest Petrič, Alenka Puhar, Ivan Štuhec, Žiga Turk, Tomaž Zalaznik, Cathedral of Freedom

The article is the opinion of the authors and does not necessarily express the views of the urendage.