The President of the Republic of Slovenia in the European Parliament: “We need more Europe to live better”

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is continuing his working visit to Strasbourg. After yesterday’s solemn celebration of 20 years of Slovenian membership of the Council of Europe, the President is today visiting the European Parliament at the invitation of Martin Schulz, the President. The President of the Republic of Slovenia also gave the keynote speech at the plenary session of the European Parliament.


Photo: UPRS

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, met Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, at the European Parliament this morning. They discussed key EU issues and agreed that an agreement on the multi-annual financial framework for 2014-2020 is urgent. If an agreement is not reached, it will also be difficult to reach consensus on other important questions. The discussion partners agreed that an agreement between Member States must not jeopardise the principle of solidarity. President Pahor spoke about Slovenian measures to overcome the crisis, stressing that Slovenia has taken the right approach, as Slovenian political parties agreed on strategic measures to achieve public finance sustainability and on referendum arrangements, and the country is able to solve its own problems.

President Pahor then addressed Members of the European Parliament. His speech focused on the future of the European Union; he said that more things unite rather than divide us, adding that historical experience has taught that cooperation ensures peace, which is the basis of prosperity. “In my speech today, I would like to speak in favour of a new legal and political step towards the general expansion of the European Union. Now, in these European and global circumstances, not despite them, but because of them.” President Pahor thus expressed his support for further EU integration, which also includes further expansion, particularly to the region of the Western Balkans, and added that the advantage of Europe is its diversity and colourfulness in all aspects. However, in order for it to function for the benefit of the majority of its population of over half a billion, it must find a new and suitable balance between respect and persistence in diversity and the promotion of unity. The President called on the European Council to urgently adopt a scheme to provide new jobs for young people tomorrow, either by investing in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises or by educating and training the young. The President also called on the European Council and Parliament to conclude an agreement immediately on the multi-annual financial framework for 2014-2020.

In his press release, the President again stresses that to overcome the crisis, the European Union must find the courage for further integration. “We need more Europe to live better,” he writes. The President also highlights that we must find solutions particularly for young people, or Euro-scepticism may prevail, which may already be reflected in the next European elections and may have negative consequences for all of us. President Pahor explains that the idea of a United States of Europe does not mean the abolition of the rich cultural heritage of individual countries, but that a new fundamental agreement defining European institutions with clearer powers, and thus greater efficiency, must be drafted.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia also met Slovenian MEPs.