Top officials: Positive trends in Slovenia must be used for reform efforts
Topical issues for which broad political consensus is required were on the agenda at the third annual meeting of Slovenia's leadership, hosted by President Borut Pahor and featuring PM Miro Cerar, National Assembly Speaker Milan Brglez and National Council President Mitja Bervar.
Pahor said after the meeting that Slovenia was on the path of recovery after years of economic and financial crisis, as shown by key economic and social indices and that the political stability needs to be used for reforms that would additionally strengthen Slovenia's economic power so that it would be more resilient to potential external shocks.
According to PM Cerar, the government will continue to prioritise healthcare reform, but will not forget other fields. He highlighted the fight against corruption and everything that "weakens the rule of law".
National Council President Bervar took the opportunity to call for cooperation and constructive dialogue, saying it was vital that reforms be approached "step by step".
The four leaders also shared a view that Slovenia was a safe country, but that its vulnerability should not be overlooked. The entire security system needs to be overhauled, as the international situation is becoming less predictable, Pahor told the press.
Speaker Brglez highlighted as important building good relations with other countries, listing Croatia, Turkey, Russia and the US.
However, Slovenia must remain, both internationally and at home, "faithful to itself", faithful to the Constitution, adopted 25 years ago, and faithful to commitments from international agreements, he added.
Slovenia will actively work for a successful development of the EU, but since the efficiency of EU institutions is currently not optimal, President Pahor believes that the country will have to rely on its own judgement and base key development solutions on historical experience.
Cerar added that Slovenia was a responsible EU member, but that it had to make an effort towards additional change to ensure sustainable development and a modern society forming a part of the EU and ensuring quality life to all its citizens.
The coming year will be important for the country as the National Assembly appoints four constitutional judges, a new president of the Supreme Court and a new state prosecutor general. Cerar noted that these decisions would require a lot of responsibility, but that decision-makers "will be up to the task".
A decision by the Hague-based international arbitration tribunal deliberating on the Slovenian-Croatian border can also be expected next year, and Slovenia must prepare for any outcome, the officials said.
Pahor stressed that Slovenia's future would depend on the willingness of Slovenians to "build on the things that unite us and to accept the differences".
"We can use all the hardship to our advantage if Slovenia is an inclusive society," he stressed. "We can only move forward successfully if we stand together," the prime minster added.