President of the Republic of Slovenia speaks of partnerships needed by the European Union

New York, 27.9.2008  |  press release

Upon concluding his visit to New York, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, yesterday morning (local time) met representatives of the American Jewish Committee. Later, in the afternoon, Dr Türk delivered a lecture entitled "The European Union and Its Global Role: The Partnerships That Are Needed" at Columbia University as part of the World Leaders Forum. In the evening, the Slovenian President attended a reception for the Slovenian community in New York hosted by the Consulate-General in New York.

In his talks with the representatives of the American Jewish Committee, Dr Türk made a favourable assessment of the Committee's contribution to the general international understanding of tolerance and better cooperation between different cultures. He briefly presented the experience acquired by Slovenia during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union and his views on developments in Kosovo and Georgia. Dr Türk and the Committee's representatives also discussed his reform proposal for the UN Security Council, the Iranian nuclear programme, contemporary anti-Semitism and bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Israel.

In his lecture at Columbia University, President Türk spoke of the global role of the European Union. He said that the EU was already now one of the key global players, particularly in the areas of commerce, economic cooperation and international development aid, as well as regarding the scope and economic effects of its action. However, as a community of states, the European Union should resolve problems arising from the structure and political processes of the EU, Dr Türk emphasised. He highlighted, in particular, the difficult internal procedure of adopting decisions and added that certain solutions in this area were offered by the Lisbon Treaty, currently pending ratification.

Further development of the EU in the future will also significantly depend on partnerships with other major global players, the Slovenian President underlined. He explained that we live in a period in which the international global context is predominantly determined by strategic and political factors. The end of the Cold War was followed by the formation of a polycentric world with a sole global superpower, i.e. the United States of America, and several major powers which now assert their influence within a regional framework, such as Russia and China, and also countries like South African Republic or Brazil. Such global conditions establish the strategic stability of the world and encourage countries to conclude various partnerships.

One of these partnerships, and according to President Türk the most important one, is the Transatlantic Partnership. Together, the European Union and the United States represent a major global power, Dr Türk said, pointing out that the success of this partnership requires the strengthening of trust, responsibility and understanding between the USA and the EU. Thereby, he pointed to multilateralism as the concept through which these values should be expressed and cherished. The Euro-Atlantic Partnership is particularly important in major international crises and future challenges, such as the Middle East Peace Process, the Iranian nuclear issue and cooperation in creating stability in Afghanistan, as well as in combating global warming and the protection of human rights.

However, the European Union also requires a partnership with Russia, which should be based on a long-term vision and should not be subject to only a single issue, such as the crisis in Georgia or cooperation in the area of energy. This partnership should, therefore, be designed in a broader and long-term manner. In doing so, one should consider that Russia is currently still in the process of shaping its foreign policy and the implementation of that policy. In seeking a common partnership with Russia, the proposals for new instruments ensuring European security should be examined. One of these instruments which could help steer the partnership is the proposal of Russian President Medvedev for the conclusion of a new European security treaty.

In concluding his lecture, Dr Türk emphasised the significance of regional and sub-regional integrations, which quite often help resolve individual international crises. Such an approach could also provide support in handling relationships in the South Caucasus region.