Diplomatic World_69

2022 BLED STRATEGIC FORUM
PUTTING THE WESTERN BALKANS
ON THE SPOTLIGHT
The 17th Bled Strategic Forum, the main multilateral event or-
to pledge unity within the Union. I appeal from this podium to
ganised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, took place
sovereignists and populists across Europe not to trade EU unity,
in the picturesque lakeside town of Bled on August 29 and 30,
solidarity, compromise and joint efficiency for egoism and cheap
2022. The Forum brought together 2,000 participants, more than
political points in domestic political arenas. EU unity and solidar-
160 panellists and speakers from around the world; heads of
ity is of shared importance for all of us – the EU institutions and
State and government; 15 foreign ministers; the President of the
every single member state – particularly during the current crisis.
European Commission and other high-level representatives of
We have shown time and again that unity, solidarity and cooper-
European and international institutions, as well as representatives
ation can overcome all the challenges that lie ahead. While there
of business, academia and civil society.
is solidarity, there is also hope for the future,” said Minister Tanja
Fajon.
The Forum, held under the theme “The Rule of Power or the
Power of Rules?” took place amid very challenging times for
“Furthermore, it is important to note that a fully functional, pros-
Europe and the world: the war in Ukraine; the emergence of
perous European Union cannot be built exclusively as the lowest
new crisis hotspots; rising inflation and energy prices; etc. The
common denominator of national interests. The EU requires a
changed world situation has shown that the international system
glue – the shared values of the rule of law, human rights freedom
that was formed around the UN after the end of World War II
of the media – to solidify its structure. It is not only prosperity, but
must change. This demands answers to questions about what
also these values that make Europe such an attractive place to
the future role of the European Union will be, how to redefine the
live for its citizens.
architecture of European security, and how to define relations
with strategic partners.
Our economies, just bouncing back from the devastating blows
of the pandemic, are facing new insecurities – these ones perpe-
been a link, never a border. Our economies are tied together,
milestone. We had set clear conditions for this. And they have
The first day of the BSF featured a discussion with the leaders of
trated by rising supply and energy costs. Our citizens, exhausted
after centuries of trade and travel. So prosperity in the Balkans
delivered. The people and the democracies have delivered. It
European countries, high representatives of the European Union
by the COVID-19 restrictions, are also facing new fears related
depends entirely on their integration with the rest of Europe.
was a huge democratic success for the people of Albania and
and foreign ministers of European countries about the challenges
to growing food and energy prices. Energy diversification – find-
Most importantly, the people of the Western Balkans overwhelm-
North Macedonia but also for the rest of Europe, and for our
facing the European Union and the region. On the second day,
ing alternative gas and oil sources to prevent potential energy
ingly aspire to join the European Union”.
strategic interests. The best way forward to contrast foreign
discussions focused on the situation in the European neighbour-
shortages in the winter – is an absolute priority for most of the
influence by autocratic countries is to strengthen democracies
hood, the aid and reconstruction of Ukraine, food and energy
European governments. To clarify, while we will continue to rely
“We have, as European Union, a clear strategic interest that
in Europe. It is about geopolitics, yes, but it is also about our
security in Europe and the enlargement of the EU. The talks also
on polluting energy sources this winter out of necessity, we
all Western Balkan Six keep advancing on the path towards
common values.
touched upon the future of the global economy, cooperation in
remain fully committed to green transition. In other words, green
European membership. Because Western Balkan stability is
the fight against climate change, the challenges of the European
transition is not only our political commitment; we are firmly
European stability. And Western Balkan prosperity is also
security architecture, digitalisation and cyber security.
convinced that it is the most important investment in the future.
European prosperity.
The 17th Bled Strategic Forum opened with addresses by its
Related to this, let me proudly inform you that last month -
In order to reinvigorate the European perspective for the Western
host, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon; the
on the initiative of five countries, including Slovenia - the UN
Balkans, President von der Leyen called for the further inte-
President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor; and the
General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the right to a
gration of the economies: “This is why we have launched the
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
clean, healthy and sustainable living environment and extending
Economic and Investment Plan of EUR 9 billion in EU funding,
the scope of human rights protection to address some of the
with the potential of mobilizing more than EUR 20 billion of
In her welcome address, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon
most pressing challenges of the 21st century”, Minister Fajon
investments for the Western Balkans. All of this is groundwork
stressed that the existing world order no longer works. Dealing
highlighted.
towards our common future in the European Union. And we must
with global challenges such as poverty, inequality, polarisation
strengthen the credibility of our accession process. We must
and climate change, demands unity and a more effective mul-
For her part, President of the European Commission Ursula von
make sure that every step a country takes towards democracy,
tilateral system: “The EU members and institutions, we have to
der Leyen reassured attendees of the Forum that “our friends
the rule of law and equal rights, brings it closer to the European
do our homework within the European Union. While we advo-
from the Western Balkans are part of our European family. The
Union. That is why the opening of the accession process and
cate against divisions in Europe and the world, we are bound
Danube, the Adriatic and the Balkan mountains have always
negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia was a true
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