By: Peter Jančič (Spletni časopis)
The reports and footage from the NATO summit in the USA have shown that I reported incompletely, stating that Prime Minister Robert Golob travelled to the USA with Defence Minister Marjan Šarec and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. In fact, the delegation also includes the Prime Minister’s partner, Tina Gaber, as shown by the footage.
For Šarec, this is a farewell trip as he is leaving the government because he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament. From next week, when they return from the USA, the Ministry of Defence will be temporarily headed by Golob, who plans to propose a permanent minister after the parliamentary recess.
The government announced that the NATO summit began with a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Alliance, attended by Prime Minister Golob and Tina Gaber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, and Defence Minister Marjan Šarec. The ceremony took place in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where on April 4th, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The gathering was addressed by US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who emphasised that NATO is the most successful and oldest alliance because it is an alliance of values. Therefore, NATO will continue to stand by Ukraine in its just fight for freedom and democracy.
The government also announced that Fajon would attend a reception hosted by US Secretary of State Blinken, and Šarec would attend a reception hosted by US Secretary of State Austin. They likely mean General Lloyd Austin, who is the Secretary of Defence and not the Secretary of State (Foreign Minister). The entire message with this awkwardness is as follows:
The Slovenian delegation attended a reception organised by Iztok Mirošič, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Washington, for representatives of the Slovenian and American economic, political, and cultural communities in the United States of America.
Prime Minister Dr Golob, in his welcoming address, thanked the ambassador and all the staff at the embassy for their efforts and endeavours, which contribute to enhancing Slovenia’s reputation in the United States of America and worldwide. He highlighted Slovenia’s long journey from independence to today, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the alliance and the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership in NATO.
“Today we are not only celebrating the anniversary of the alliance but also the friendship between the two nations,” said the Prime Minister, adding that Slovenia is proud to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the second time in its young history – also with the support of the United States of America. “The size and power of a country do not matter. What matters is that we share a common goal, which is prosperity and democracy for the entire world,” emphasised Prime Minister Dr Golob.
In his address, the Prime Minister also highlighted Slovenia’s achievements in the economic field. “A bright future lies ahead of us. My thanks go to all who maintain Slovenian culture and identity in the United States, thus deepening the ties between the two nations,” concluded Prime Minister Dr Golob.
Today afternoon, Central European Time, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, and Defence Minister Marjan Šarec will attend the North Atlantic Council meeting and will also meet with the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb. In the evening, Prime Minister Dr Golob and Tina Gaber will attend a reception and dinner for the leaders of all partner countries, hosted by US President Joe Biden and his wife Dr Jill Biden at the White House. Minister Fajon will attend a reception hosted by US Secretary of State Blinken, and Minister Šarec will attend a reception for defence ministers hosted by US Secretary of Defence Austin.
Before the official start of the NATO Summit, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Tanja Fajon participated in a round table titled ‘From Vision to Action: Women, Peace, and Security in the Alliance’ yesterday. “Women’s participation significantly improves outcomes in peace negotiations. There is a 35 percent greater chance that a peace agreement will last at least 15 years longer if women are involved. More women mean more peace, which is why Slovenia strongly supports the alliance’s renewed policy on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, which will be confirmed at the NATO summit in Washington. Our credibility largely depends on how successful we are in implementing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. The alliance has the potential to take the lead here, and in Slovenia, which is a strong advocate of WPS, we look forward to realising this important agenda,” emphasised Minister Fajon on the sidelines of the round table.
Before the summit in Washington, Minister Šarec laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.