Speeches

(starting the speech with the microphone off) ... an ardent supporter of enlargement, however, we must admit that we do not actually have a unified vision of enlargement in the European Union. On the one hand, we have a part of the Member States that does not support enlargement or has reservations about it for internal political reasons, which are also caused by non-compliance with the rule of law of the Member States, as well as by the abuse of the migration issue. On the other hand, it is a part of the members that has problems with the rule of law and uses enlargement as a hostage or as a means of pressure and deepening the gap or division within the European Union. Then there are the leaders of the Western Balkans, who, if necessary, use enlargement for internal political needs, either to delay reforms on the one hand, or to use this to consolidate their political power, when, of course, they like it. When they do not like it, of course, they are again against the expansion itself. But there are also people – the people of the EU and the people of the Western Balkans. On the one hand, due to debates around the rule of law or, above all, due to non-compliance with the principles of the rule of law in part of the European Union, the people of the EU are losing faith in the EU itself. On the other hand, there are people in the region who are slowly losing confidence in the European Union due to all the developments or, above all, the uncritical attitude of the European Commission towards the events in the region itself. That is why now may be the time for a declaration and also for political decisions, not in this House, but above all in the Council of the EU, which will give us all, those in the EU as in the Western Balkans, at least a slice of pure wine and explain what the future of the so-called enlargement process actually is.

Dear President! The approval of the IPA III programme, or pre-accession assistance to the countries and people of the Western Balkans, amounting to over €14 billion, is a testament to the European Union's commitment to enlargement to the Western Balkans and, in particular, to supporting the people of the region. Although many talk about the crisis of people's adherence to the ideas of the European Union, even support for enlargement in the region itself, this is more a reflection of the lack of visibility and even of the deliberate concealment and denial of the role that European funds play in the development of the region and its rapprochement with the European Union. IPA funds are also an opportunity for institutional strengthening in the region, in particular strengthening the independence and professionalism of institutions, an opportunity for the democratic growth of the countries and societies in the region, an opportunity for the economic and social development of the region according to the needs of the people and for achieving higher prosperity. They are also an opportunity to strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption and organised crime, strengthen the independent judiciary, the judiciary, strengthen the civil and non-governmental sectors and, last but not least, the independence of the media. IPA III also offers opportunities for the environmental transformation of a region facing serious environmental challenges. But it is also an obligation that European Union funds do not become a motor fuel for the expansion of illiberal regimes in the region and the democratic backsliding we are witnessing in parts of the region. IPA III therefore presents an opportunity, but at the same time poses certain challenges and risks. It is up to the people of the region to make use of the funds, to use them for their own development and to move closer to the European Union. However, it is the responsibility of our Members to help them along this path and to prevent them from going sideways, i.e. away from the objectives of the pre-accession assistance programme, i.e. closer to the European Union and membership of the European Union. Thank you very much.

Madam President! In a way, the Afghan tragedy was inevitable. It may have surprised the pace of events, but no matter what happened, we have a key decision ahead of us: Will we accept this experience as a driver of new knowledge or regret? I believe that this must, above all, become an opportunity for the common foreign and security policy, first and foremost, to clearly frame relations with the Taliban authorities, at the heart of which must be our democratic values, human rights and, in particular, women's rights. We cannot resign from this, except for certain activities for the benefit of the Afghan people. We also need a plan of action to support the rebels and all those who will not accept the Taliban authorities, and a clear plan on how to act – in particular a plan of assistance – to help all those who will leave Afghanistan and seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Above all, it is crucial to recognise that the European Union needs its own military capabilities. If Afghanistan has stressed anything, it has stressed that the EU needs these capabilities, which will support European strategic autonomy, but at the same time will neither compete with NATO nor undermine the European Euro-Atlantic Strategic Alliance. These capabilities will contribute in particular to strengthening the European Union, its global position and, on the other hand, to strengthening NATO and the North Atlantic Alliance.

Madam President-in-Office! The fact that Slovenians believe and hope in the European Union, as we did a decade ago and more, is beyond doubt. Public opinion shows that more than two thirds still hope and expect, I will say, even more from the European Union than then. I am not sure, however, that this is no longer the same as what you and the current government are advocating, Mr President. Why is this not reflected in the actions of your government? To put it mildly, your actions and the expectations of the public are diametrically opposite. Unfortunately, this cannot be hidden from the technical use of the Presidency's themes. The future is not only dependent on technical progress, but the key question is on which values and ideas this technological progress will be based. And that is, and will be, the essence of the debates on the future of the European Union. The question, though not a dilemma for me, is whether Slovenians share your vision with you? Again, public opinion does not show this – a vision of the rule of law, attitudes towards the media, media freedom, attacks on journalists and the exhaustion of the public news agency. I doubt that most Europeans share this vision. Therefore, this Presidency will unfortunately be quite vague in terms of content due to the above and what has already been said in today's debate. Unfortunately, the difference between people's expectations and European values, on the one hand, and the starting points of your government, on the other, is blurring a huge gap that prevents progress on these non-technical but crucial issues, such as the rule of law, media freedom and more. As I have said, the future of the EU is based not only on technological solutions, but above all on the issues of values on which progress will be based. And this is where your government has big, proven problems. The appointment of delegated prosecutors is only one story among them. Talking about double standards and different understandings of the rule of law is also a reflection of this. In the EU, we have the Court of Justice of the European Union, we have the Court of Human Rights, we have the Venice Commission, which sets the normative framework of the rule of law with clear, independent judgments and decisions. If the Member States do not follow suit, this is not a question of understanding the rule of law, but of respect for the rule of law. Therefore, with due respect, Mr President, for the benefit of Slovenia and the EU, I hope for a Presidency that will make progress possible. At the same time, I also hope that it will leave as little as possible, and even more so I hope for your ideological mark on the EU and its future. I can't expect this, I can only hope for a democratic change.