Prime Minister Golob: »Europe has finally shown some backbone«

SLOVENIA, January 22 - CNN: President Zelensky delivered a blistering speech, delivered in a tone of anger and exasperation and laser-focused on what he sees as an inadequacy by Europe in its own defence and its defence of Ukraine. Your response, sir?

Prime Minister Golob: Well, first, let me tell you that I understand rather well the frustration uttered by President Zelenskyy. We have been listening to his frustrations for a long time, and I know the root cause of them. This is not a new issue. Europe is only strong when it is united. However, even in the past week, I believe that Europe has finally shown some backbone. And I believe that this is the only way forward for us, regardless of whether one comes from a small or a large country. Only a united Europe, together with our allies, can be a leading force — not a leading force in military terms, but a leading force in the values that the entire world truly expects from us.

CNN: What does that backbone look like? Can you be clearer, please?

Prime Minister Golob: Well, you have all been following the recent developments regarding the Board of Peace and the situation in Greenland. And when I speak about Slovenia’s position, I can only say that we remain firmly committed to international law and to the international order based on the Charter of the United Nations. No initiative can supplement it. No initiative can stand above it. Any initiative, including the Board of Peace, can only be a natural extension of the United Nations. This is a principle in which I personally believe, but it is also a principle that must be upheld at all costs. And we cannot be bullied into any other position than that. This also applies to the principle of sovereignty. With regard to Greenland, let me echo a sentiment that is currently widespread across Europe: today, we are all Greenlanders, and only the people of Greenland can decide on the future of Greenland. No one else can do so.

CNN: Let me turn to the issue of borders. In his defence of the Board of Peace, Donald Trump said earlier today that this is a body that would operate alongside the United Nations. Slovenia has decided not to join. Why?

Prime Minister Golob: The main reason is that, although we fully support any initiative aimed at bringing an end to the suffering of the population of Gaza, we firmly believe that this can only be achieved under the umbrella of the United Nations. No mechanism can be such that it could be regarded as something parallel to the United Nations. The second argument is that we would certainly wish the Board of Peace also to address a long-term solution to the Palestinian issue. A long-term solution means a two-state solution. No other solution can truly bring about lasting peace. This is a solution in which both nations, Israelis and Palestinians, live in peace alongside one another. At present, however, the Charter of the Board of Peace does not give us such hope.

CNN: With all due respect, Qatar, a key mediator which, as you know, is deeply familiar with the Gaza file, has said that this is the best and most viable path to peace, given the lack of other options. Again, your response?

Prime Minister Golob: Yes, I understand the situation among the countries of the Middle East. However, we would like to see this position expressed by Qatar also reflected in practice. Our position is clear: if the Board of Peace were to narrow its scope exclusively to Gaza, we would be prepared to reconsider our position. However, we are not prepared to apply the same principles to any other region of the world.

CNN: Mark Carney described the world, in what was a very powerful speech — and I think we would all agree on that — as being in a state of rupture. The German Chancellor has clearly expressed the belief that the current world order is over. Do you believe that the Western alliance is still viable, and that there is currently a sense of disorder? Do you see a new world order replacing the Western alliance, international law and the norms we have been accustomed to over the past 70 years, with something else taking their place?

Prime Minister Golob: Well, I would not be so pessimistic. I believe that the line has not yet been crossed, although we are close to it. I think that we, the allies, still have time to sit down, to talk to one another openly, honestly, perhaps even loudly, and then to find a joint and common way forward. This has happened in the past as well. Within the NATO alliance, there have been similar situations before —  not identical, but similar — and they were overcome. I believe that we are fully capable of doing so again. And most likely, this is what will happen in the coming days.