By Sara Kovač (Nova24tv)
The coordinator of the Levica, Luka Mesec, is threatening Slovenia’s national security with his ideas, while a war is raging not far from us. “The future coalition agrees that the current government has no mandate to execute these purchases, sign treaties or make new commitments to NATO,” Mesec said. Tonin responded to these allegations in April and explained that we must buy armoured vehicles, as we have been putting it off since 2017, and prices are rising. He also stressed that the security situation in our immediate and distant surroundings is deteriorating, and he believes that this government will sign the treaty quite rightly.
The Slovenian Army has not been prepared for a state of war for several years, which former Prime Minister Marjan Šarec would have preferred to hide from the people. Even if we sweep problems under the rug, they remain. The government of Janez Janša was aware of this, which, despite strong opposition and collecting signatures against investments in the Slovenian Army, provided additional funds for the security of our soldiers.
Subsequently, by delaying the proceedings, they intended to harass so long that the purchase of Boxer armoured vehicles would be unfeasible before the end of the term. In Nova Slovenija, they pointed out at the time that the Levica party was doing everything for its own benefit and not for the people. It was also interesting that they wanted to hold a “military” referendum together with the elections, but not a “tax” one.
Minister of Defence Matej Tonin said at the time that a referendum on the ratification of an international treaty was not allowed in accordance with the constitution, and that in this case the Levica had abused the institute of referendum. The Constitutional Court upheld Tonin and banned a referendum on a law ratifying an agreement with the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR).
The purchase of armoured vehicles is essential for the capacity of the Slovenian Armed Forces
Tonin welcomed the Constitutional Court’s decision in April. He emphasised that the government would pursue further procedures to sign the agreement in April. “The purchase of 8 x 8 combat vehicles (BKV 8 x 8) is essential for the establishment of the most important capacity of the Slovenian Army, the establishment of which has been delayed for a long time, which is the Middle Battalion Battle Group (SrBBSk). This is an essential capacity for further development and improvement of the state of readiness of the Slovenian Armed Forces,” the Ministry of Defence wrote.
The coordinator of the Levica, Luka Mesec, said yesterday that talks with the new coalition created by Robert Golob are going smoothly. Among the topics, they also placed special emphasis on the purchase of armoured vehicles, which Tonin wants to carry out. “The future coalition agrees that the current government has no mandate to execute these purchases, sign treaties or make new commitments to NATO,” Mesec said. By doing so, it is practically threatening national security while a war is raging in our vicinity.
We delayed buying armour for a long time
Tonin has previously responded to these allegations, which are not new to Mesec. He pointed out that the purchase of these armoured vehicles has been underway for several terms, as more intensive activities for the purchase of armoured vehicles at the Ministry of Defence began in 2017, but then the previous government stopped the purchase. He also stressed that the security situation in our immediate and distant surroundings is deteriorating, and he believes that this government will sign the treaty quite rightly. “To say they do not need it is like saying police officers do not need cars,” Tonin told POP TV.
Based on the agreement, further implementing acts will be concluded with OCCAR and the participating countries for the participation of the Republic of Slovenia in the Boxer programme and for the purchase of Boxer vehicles, namely: security agreement, memorandum of understanding (between Boxer member states), programme decision (between Boxer member states and OCCAR programmes) and the contract of law for the purchase of Boxer vehicles. The total value of the contract offered and negotiated, excluding VAT, is 281.5 million euros.