By: Spletni časopis
“First of all, I would like to thank President Biden, my friend Joe, for the time he has dedicated to us, not only today but also in the past. Above all, I would like to thank him for his friendship and trust, which he always shows towards Slovenia. I believe that, because of this, our cooperation will be even better in the future.”
This is what Robert Golob said after his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. During the official visit to the U.S., the Prime Minister’s companion, Tina Gaber, was also part of the government delegation, though she does not appear in the footage provided by the government after the meetings.
After the meeting, Golob also said that “when relationships are based on friendship and trust, nothing is impossible”. The proof of this, he said, is that two such different countries are having an equal discussion about the future. He further assessed that “due to this visit, many doors will be opened for Slovenia in the future, and that we, including our economy, researchers, and artists, will properly seize this opportunity”.
Tina Gaber posted a message on Facebook from the U.S. about a commitment to reducing pollution, although she probably does not have the authority to make such commitments on behalf of the country. If she made a personal international commitment to something, it may not be very important, but it could be interesting. Our female politicians often commit to the fight for clean water and a better environment, even those who have formal authority.
Golob’s meeting with Biden occurred less than a month after CIA Director William Burns visited SOVA Director Joško Kadivnik, which followed cooperation on the exchange of Russian spies and murderers in the West with Russia. As part of the exchange, Vladimir Putin enabled the return home from prison of 32-year-old American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia for allegedly spying while working as a journalist for The Wall Street Journal. In return, Putin also sent opposition figures imprisoned in Russia to the West. Such exchanges last took place when the communist Soviet Union still existed, and they indicate strained relations and a return to the past, as Putin tries to restore the former Soviet empire through attacks on neighbouring countries, most recently with the occupation of Crimea and then the attempted military subjugation of the whole of Ukraine, which has so far been unsuccessful.
The meeting with Biden also had an unusual note, as Slovenia is considered a country that, in the conflict in the Middle East, has sided with Islamic dictatorships whose goal is the destruction of Israel and are considered allies of Moscow. After the brutal terrorist attacks from Gaza and the capture of a large number of hostages, followed by extensive rocket fire also from Lebanon, orchestrated by Iran, our country recognised Palestine. Our politicians, such as European Parliament member Matjaž Nemec of the ruling SD and the entire ruling Levica party, advocate for harsh sanctions against Israel, while defending Israel from being wiped out is declared as genocide. The U.S., alongside Western European countries like Germany, is Israel’s main ally in the decades-long conflicts in the region. Slovenian policy is closer to that of former Yugoslavia.
The meeting with Biden also sparked quite a bit of critical response among supporters of the current left-wing government.
The only common point between the U.S. and Slovenia is that civilian aid must be ensured in the conflict.
This was the first official visit to the U.S. after the meeting between Janez Janša and George W. Bush in 2006, and before that, Janez Drnovšek made two similar visits, first meeting Bill Clinton and then Bush.