Minister Hojs says Slovenia among eight safest countries
Ljubljana - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs addressed the National Security Day event on Tuesday to note that Slovenia was somewhere between the fifth and eight place on lists of safest countries. He credited the security system and education from the earliest age for this, as well as people who steer activities and planning in this field.
Speaking at the event in the National Council in Ljubljana, Hojs said was exceptional in terms of safety, which was on the top of values for every citizen, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.
He does not see weakness, but advantage in the Slovenian system under which organisation of protection and rescue under the auspices of the Defence Ministry. The system should nevertheless also involve the Interior Ministry and police, he added.
"Today we are obviously witnessing accidents that are not limited within state border and that affect our security too," Hojs said, adding that it was not only Afghanistan, as a new model of accidents instigated by people was "knocking on the EU door."
The minister said that the EU was directly facing new terrorist attacks in recent months. "Today we call it hybrid war, which is currently taking place on the eastern border of the EU and will also affect national security in Slovenia."
National Council president Alojz Kovšca said that climate change was already "showing its teeth", with floods, earthquakes and droughts taking turns, which is why he believes that the security system needs to adapt to the new challenges.
According to Kovšca, Slovenia has an excellent protection and rescue system in such events, and its main advantage is openness to both professionals and volunteers. Such systems are stronger if local communities are involved, he said as quoted by the National Council.
The 5th National Security Day, which will also take place on Wednesday, aims at informing and raising public awareness of various aspects and importance of safety in modern society, as well as cooperation of institutions, said the National Council.
The upper chamber of parliament is hosting the event together with the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security of the University of Maribor, the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences and the Institute for Security Culture.