As part of the rotating EU presidency of Slovenia, an inter-parliamentary meeting on the EU’s common foreign and security policy was organized in Ljubljana on Thursday (September 9) and heard the EU’s unified and proactive approach to global challenges. call.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Igor Zorčič, stated that the EU must use its power as an economic superpower and the largest donor of development assistance, and pointed out that no member country has the ability to deal with terrorism or pandemics alone. Global issues.
The chairman of the National Committee, Alojz Kovšca, stated that the common response to the crisis is also a sign of solidarity among member states.
President Borut Pahor emphasized the importance of the EU’s rapid and effective response, saying that this can only be achieved if the EU deepens its integration and strengthens its autonomy. If the EU remains just a community of nation-states, its power and attractiveness will weaken.
Pahor believes that the EU has the responsibility to ease conflicts around the world. Afghanistan is one of such conflicts, and it poses one of the biggest challenges to the group’s common foreign and security policies.
Joseph Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign and security policy, agreed that the crisis in Afghanistan could become a catalyst to make the EU’s foreign policy stronger.
Borel emphasized that the EU will not recognize the new government of Afghanistan, but said it is necessary to negotiate and coordinate, especially in the area of humanitarian assistance, because Afghanistan is facing a “biblical humanitarian crisis.”
Both Pahor and Borrell believe that the EU’s strategic resilience must be extensively improved in terms of stronger defense and cybersecurity capabilities, digital autonomy, and critical infrastructure security.
The hybrid conference featured parliamentary delegations from the European Union, member states and NATO member states. The panel discussed the EU’s foreign policy priorities, the role of EU foreign policy in a multipolar world, and regional partnerships with the Western Balkans.
In a panel discussion on the role of EU foreign policy, Foreign Minister Anze Logar stated that “Afghanistan is one of the biggest challenges facing the international community and requires a firm and coordinated response from EU member states.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he added that the experience of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to better prepare for future crises and emphasize the importance of effective multilateralism in addressing global challenges.
The Western Balkans Group is chaired by Defense Minister Matej Tonin, who stated that the EU needs to show solidarity with countries in the region and support them in the process of joining.
He said that, on the other hand, these countries need to speed up reforms, adding that only by joining the European Union can the long-term stability of Europe be guaranteed, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.
[Edited by Frédéric Simon]
