Video conference with members of the Slovenian Armed Forces deployed on international operations and missions

Ljubljana, 22.6.2012  |  press release

On the occasion of Slovenian Statehood Day, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Dr Danilo Türk, held a video conference and addressed members of the Slovenian Armed Forces deployed on international operations and missions and at military representations abroad. The commanders of contingents and heads of representations of the Slovenian Armed Forces abroad reported to the Commander-in-Chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces on their present situation and current tasks. The President congratulated and commended the members of the Slovenian Armed Forces who are deployed abroad on the occasion of Slovenian Statehood Day. ‘Your contributions are appreciated and your work for the Republic of Slovenia is highly regarded,’ stressed the President.

He also remembered the great contribution of the Territorial Defence and later of the Slovenian Armed Forces in the formation and strengthening of Slovenian statehood. ‘We will always appreciate the contribution of our defence forces to the easier and more rapid establishment of our country in the international community. You continue this tradition with your current contributions and, as your reports show, you perform this work exceptionally well, and that is why I wish to congratulate you in particular on the quality of your work and express gratitude in the name of the Republic of Slovenia. This is extremely important work and we are proud of you for that,’ said the President, who also commended the care of members of the Slovenian Armed Forces for their own safety and for safety during the implementation of their mandates.

The President pointed out that a transition is happening in Afghanistan and deliberations are ongoing on the international presence in the country after 2014. He encouraged the members of the Slovenian Armed Forces who are involved in the international ISAF operation to participate actively and creatively with their advice in the discussions on this matter. The President also expressed the wish that our contingent would return from Afghanistan in 2014 and that the conditions for the successful completion of our contribution there will have been established. Additional discussions on a new configuration of the international presence in Afghanistan will be necessary within the framework of NATO and also in the UN Security Council, which provides the legitimacy of, and authorisation for, this mission.

Efficient coordination between military tasks and direction of the political situation has to be established in Kosovo, which so far has functioned exceptionally well, said the President, who expressed great satisfaction with the contribution of the Slovenian Armed Forces during the entire operation of the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. Political tasks related to the further stabilisation of Kosovo, management of the situation in the north of Kosovo and the advancement of Serbia and Kosovo towards the European Union will be easier and more successfully achieved if we are able to maintain the current level of quality and effectiveness of the military contribution to the KFOR mission. The co-operation between the military and civilian components will continue to play a key role, stressed the President.

The President pointed out that the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not being managed well or quickly enough. The situation in the country is such that it could fall into even greater difficulties because of insufficient political sensitivity, and we must not allow this to happen, said the President, who emphasised the importance of the international military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the provision of stability, the training of armed forces and the mitigation of military aspects for political normalisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must remain realists and should not expect a very rapid shifting of the burden from the international military presence to any other, less trained presence, added the President.

The President particularly thanked our representatives in the international operations of the United Nations in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is one of the longest-running international operations. This operation is perceived by the international community as vital for Lebanon, because without the presence of UNIFIL forces, we could not ensure stability in the country or the building of peace in the region. Today, we must pay special attention to the problems in neighbouring Syria, where, in the opinion of some analysts, the conflict has already grown into a civil war; there is also a risk that the situation in Syria could spread to Lebanon, the President pointed out.

In conclusion, the President mentioned NATO plans, which to a great extent are related to these missions, particularly in Afghanistan and Kosovo. The President expressed his wish that the debates on these questions will be comprehensive and cogent enough to result in sound decisions.