Praga, 24 in 25. april 2023 - Predsednik Državnega sveta Marko Lotrič se je z delegacijo (v sestavi: sekretarka Državnega sveta mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, svetovalka Katarina Živec in predstavnica Protokola RS Mojca Župan Macedoni) udeležil konference EUSC. Na konferenci so se zbrali predsedniki parlamentov držav članic EU in predsednica Evropskega parlamenta pa tudi predsedniki parlamentov držav kandidatk (Bosna in Hercegovina, Črna gora, Severna Makedonija, Moldavija, Srbija, Turčija in Ukrajina) in drugi vabljeni gostje (Gruzija, Islandija, Kosovo, Lihtenštajn, Norveška, Švica in Združeno kraljestvo).
Konferenca je naslovila dve osrednji temi: rusko agresijo v Ukrajini in odziv EU nanjo v širšem geopolitičnem kontekstu (širitev EU, energetska varnost, povojna obnova itd.) in vlogo EU pri globalnem sodelovanju demokracij in problematiko odvisnosti držav članic EU od totalitarnih režimov (informacijska vojna, dezinformacije, varnost oskrbnih verig, strateška avtonomija itd.). Predsednik je nagovoril konferenco na obe temi, nagovora se nahajata na koncu sporočila.
Predsednik Državnega sveta Marko Lotrič se je kot član predsedniške Trojke konference udeležil tudi srečanja Trojke, na katerem so razpravljali o programu konference in osnutku zaključkov predsedstva, ki jih je konferenca sprejela ob koncu zasedanja. Poleg tega se je udeležil tudi več bilateralnih srečanj, in sicer z avstrijskim Bundesratom (delegacijo je vodil predsednik Günter Kovacs), nemškim Bundesratom (delegacijo je vodil predsednik Peter Tschentscher) in estonskim Riigikogu-jem (delegacijo je vodil Lauri Hussar).
Ob robu dogodka se je predsednik DS RS srečal s predsednico Evropskega parlamenta Roberto Metsola, predsednikom češkega senata Milošem Vystričilom, predsednikom Narodne skupštine Republike Srbije dr. Vladimirjem Orlićem, predsednikom Sobranja Republike Severne Makedonije mag. Talatom Xhaferijem, predsednikom hrvaškega parlamenta Gordanom Jandrokovićem in predsednikom Poslanske zbornice Romunije Vasil-Danielom Suciujem ter se udeležil otvoritve razstave slovenskega fotografa Boruta Peterlina Nova zemlja/Tišina, ki je na ogled v galeriji Galerie Jakubska.
Nagovori predsednika DS RS Marka Lotriča
Session I - Russian aggression against Ukraine and the EU response in a broader geopolitical context (EU enlargement, energy security, post-war reconstruction), Praga, 24. april 2023
Dear president, dear Ms Metsola, dear ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues,
Russia's aggression against Ukraine is not only a direct violation of its sovereignty but also a clear attempt to destabilize the entire region. Indeed, war and conflict can have devastating consequences, not just for the countries directly involved, but for the entire region. This is why we stand firm in our commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people in their struggle for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace. The EU has responded to the crisis in Ukraine with determination and resolve in defence of our shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We must ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict. To this end, we strongly support the establishment of an international criminal tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
The EU is also committed to playing a leading role in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, as reflected in the establishment of the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine and the clear confirmation of Ukraine’s European perspective. However, the responsibility to aid and support Ukraine does not lie only with the EU institutions, but is an inherent responsibility of each and every EU Member State.
I would also like to add that the EU enlargement has been and continues to be one of the most successful foreign policy efforts in modern history, bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to millions of people across Europe. We are committed to continuing these activities, and to deepening our engagement with our Eastern neighbours and Western Balkan countries, despite the efforts of third countries to prevent this process. Even when we don't agree on each and every solution, we must remember the reason why European family was created, and for those very reasons we have to keep this family together and work closely.
We must continue to work towards a peaceful resolution of this and other possible wars. We must stand together in defence of Ukraine and its people. Dear colleagues, we have to ask ourselves how we can stop the war in Ukraine. We call on Russia to immediately and completely stop all military activities on Ukraine's sovereign territory and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Thank you for your attention!
Session II - Role of the EU in global cooperation of democracies and the issue of EU member states´ dependence on totalitarian regimes (information warfare, disinformation, security of supply chains, strategic autonomy etc.), Praga, 25. april 2023
Dear president, dear Ms Metsola, dear ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues,
Today, our democratic values are facing numerous challenges on multiple fronts, and we need to recognize the EU's vital role in facilitating and advocating for global democratic cooperation. However, the EU’s dependence on totalitarian regimes poses a strategic problem and a threat to our national security and economic prosperity, and undermines our commitment to democratic values. We must cooperate and coordinate our efforts to reduce our dependence on these regimes and strengthen our strategic autonomy.
Firstly, we must ensure that our supply chains are secure. We can do this by increasing our investment in European production capabilities and strengthening our procurement policies to prioritize EU-based companies. We also need to secure access to raw materials and advanced technologies to facilitate industrial production, as well as a sufficient and affordable energy supply to run them. Industry generates 24 % of Slovenia's GDP, and we must make sure to utilize existing industrial capacity in Slovenia and other EU member states.
Secondly, we need to take proactive steps to address disinformation, strengthen our cybersecurity cooperation, and develop more effective communication strategies to counter propaganda not only within the EU but worldwide. Finally, we need to promote democracy and human rights across the world by supporting civil society organizations and increasing our development assistance to countries that are committed to these values.
We can achieve this by deepening existing partnerships with neighbouring countries, such as the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans, while looking inward and making use of the many advantages EU Member States have. In this way, we can achieve strategic autonomy while promoting peace, stability, democracy, and our shared values in the region.
As democracies, our strength lies in our ability to work together. The EU must take all necessary measures to achieve its strategic autonomy while supporting EU businesses and promoting our shared values and we must work with our partners to ensure that they are supported. Thank you for your attention!
Foto: Senát PČR in Katarina Živec/DS.
