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The President of the Republic of Slovenia concludes a working visit to Finland

Helsinki, 11.2.2012  |  press release


The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Mikliè Türk, attend the meeting of the Arraiolos Group (photo: Neboj¹a Tejiæ/STA)The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended the meeting of the Arraiolos Group in Helsinki where he was the keynote panellist at the 3rd plenary session entitled Europe's Southern Neighbourhood on the morning of the last day.

In his address, President Türk spoke about the recent changes in the Arab world, commonly referred to as the 'Arab Spring'. He pointed out that these unexpected events were revolutionary in nature. President Türk added that, unlike the political and economic changes in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s, in the case of Arab countries, EU membership does not constitute the means for the further transformation of these societies.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attends the 3rd plenary session entitled Europe's Southern Neighbourhood (photo: Neboj¹a Tejiæ/STA)According to the President, the EU should remain patient and should not interfere in the internal processes of Arab countries. The EU should continue to provide general support to democratic processes and be ready for a dialogue with all parties that respect democratic principles in these countries.

The EU should carefully consider various forms of assistance, among which President Türk highlighted economic assistance, including the export of agricultural products from Arab countries to Europe and the promotion of the economic development of these countries through trade preferences. Europe should more specifically define its migration policy, and address the civil society and general public in these countries.

President Türk drew attention to the need to respond to crisis events, where he highlighted the current situation in Syria and the failure of the United Nations Security Council to adopt a suitable resolution on this issue. In the President's opinion, the European Union should continue to support the Arab League in this situation and the latest proposal of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a joint mission of the UN and the Arab League. With regard to the Israeli–Arab conflict, the President recalled many lost opportunities and the failure of the Near East Quartet. He underlined that efforts should be made to revive the peace process, which would have a positive effect on the stabilisation of the wider region.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attends an informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group (photo: Neboj¹a Tejiæ/STA)President Türk then attended a press conference of the presidents participating in the meeting of the Arraiolos Group. In addition to the Slovenian President and the Finnish President, who was the host of the meeting, the press conference was also attended by the presidents of Austria, Italy, Latvia, Hungary, Germany and Portugal.

Speaking at a press conference, President Türk noted that the European Union currently has many reasons to focus on its internal issues. On this occasion, he thanked the Finnish President, Tarja Halonen, for providing the participants of the Arraiolos Group meeting with the opportunity to address the stance of the European Union regarding the global environment and certain issues related to its direct neighbourhood, such as the issue of migration and the need for the enhancement of a tolerant and civilized political dialogue within the EU. Talks were also focused on the need for the inclusion of new players from Arab countries in the dialogue held at the level of political communication, civil society and economic cooperation, added the Slovenian president.
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