NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor: "New balances of the world are to be pursued peacefully
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, underlined at today's press conference that "in difficult times, public trust in authority institutions is often shattered," and stressed that Slovenia does not lead a subservient foreign policy. As a member of the EU and NATO, Slovenia co-ordinates its international activities with partners and allies but its policy is never subservient to partners or allies or to any other actor. "We act as a State with its rights and duties within the international community, with the right to our own opinion, which we also pursue," said Prime Minister Pahor and continued that partnerships and friendships are the proper forum for expressing disagreeing opinions or positions.
In light of current developments in the international political arena and regarding the U.S. dispatches, President Pahor reiterated that he had not and would never link his meeting with President Obama in the White House with a potential Slovenia's decision – so far, no legal basis have been established – to receive one of the Guantanamo prisoners as done by 13 other European States. This will be revealed by numerous discussions, also at the Committee on International Relations, National Assembly and at other bodies that will deem themselves obliged to decide on these matters. "The work timetables show that I, as a person who did not support war, have welcomed President Obama's decision to close Guantanamo detention facility. I have also expressed my position that, in my capacity of Prime Minister, I will make every effort – not because of the subservience but on the account of our friendship – towards receiving, as 13 other States, one of the Guantanamo prisoners, subject to the existence of legal basis and the assurance of the competent authorities that this would entail no increased security risks to our country," further explained Prime Minister Pahor and made clear that at the beginning of his term of office he considered that no meeting with President Obama in the White House was feasible due to the established practice and congested international obligations and therefore never expressed such a wish. He pointed out that his meetings with the U.S. president in the margins of NATO meetings or other international events sufficed. "Let me, therefore, say that it would be beneath my dignity to make a reception of a prisoner conditional upon a meeting in the White House. That would amount to a foreign policy with no self-confidence, this I can assure, since I am greatly co-responsible for it. Therefore, I reiterate that this topic was not discussed," said Prime Minister Pahor.
The goal of Slovenia's foreign policy is the preservation of peace and security of our people and the maintenance of good and friendly relations throughout the world. According to Prime Minister Pahor, the worst economic crisis after World War II has distorted global balances in some areas to a much greater extent than predicted at the end of 2008. He also underlined the efforts made by the Slovenian government to enable new balances to be obtained amicably. Slovenia has pursued these efforts as a sovereign state which does not take any instructions, not even from the superpowers.
Prime Minister Pahor responded to the allegations in a dispatch concerning the participation of the U.S. company Westinghouse in the planned construction of the second reactor at Krško nuclear power plant and gave his assurance that he had not overstepped his powers. He also emphasised that Slovenia wishes to attract more foreign investments and his mentioning of a particular state in a conversation had in no way implied any agreement. He merely offered an opportunity to explore the possibilities. "There is nothing illegal there," said Prime Minister Pahor. "No business has ever been concluded in my office," again pointed out Prime Minister Pahor adding that in Slovenia there are other institutions competent to do so. He also said that "Slovenia has not yet decided on the construction of the second reactor," and asserted that all related procedures will be transparent.