President of Slovenia attends meeting of Academic Council on the United Nations System

Vienna, 3.6.2010  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS). In a special address titled "New Security Challenges", the President responded to the invitation of the Academic Council to talk about the global security situation, the main challenges and certain institutional solutions influencing further development of the United Nations.

Last night, President Türk had a private dinner with the President of the Republic of Austria, Dr Heinz Fischer, where they discussed various European issues of current interest.

In his statement to the press, the Slovenian President also commented on bilateral relations between Austria and Slovenia in the light of pending minority issues. He emphasised that, upon the 55th anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty, we cannot be satisfied with the current state of implementation of this Treaty. According to Dr Türk, this is also the key issue in bilateral relations at the moment. He added that we must make progress with respect to bilingual topography and other issues relating to the minority.

The Slovenian President also commented on the course of the referendum campaign in Slovenia. He emphasised that he is counting on common sense, the rule of law and a positive vote. He added that he is personally in favour of the Arbitration Agreement, which he has publicly stated. This is one of those situations that involves a clear question calling for a clear answer.

Dr Türk noted that the Arbitration Agreement is a valuable opportunity that does not often present itself. He explained that the Agreement provides a solution to the problem that will fully comply with Slovenian interests and ensures the border along the line established on 25 June 1991 and access to the open sea. The Slovenian President said that it is our responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity and make use of the legal mechanisms. He referred to a similar situation at the time of Badinter’s arbitration in 1991, when a great many people feared that the arbitration might not honour Slovenian interests.

"This fear proved to be unjustified. We had firm arguments then and we obtained everything that was possible from the arbitration, and today we have firm arguments again and can also obtain everything that is needed and possible from the arbitration," said the President. He also highlighted the position of the former President of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Stephen Schwebel, one of the top ten international lawyers, who has a clear opinion in this respect and believes that the Arbitration Agreement is favourable for Slovenia and, among other things, ensures Slovenia the junction of its territorial sea with the open sea.