Pahor on the Future of the EU in Prague

Bivši predsednik Pahor se je udeležil slovesnosti ob 20. obletnici članstva Češke v Evropski uniji. V govoru je izpostavil tri ključne strateške naloge za prihodnost EU.

‘‘V strateškem smislu se glede prihodnosti Evropske Unije kaže nekaj temeljnih potreb in nalog:

1. Da bi Evropska unija še naprej varovala in krepila mir in varnost, mora zaradi sedanje geopolitične nuje okrepiti svojo obrambno sposobnost.

2. Da bi Evropska unija bila vplivni igralec v mednarodni skupnosti in učinkovita navznoter, potrebuje potrebne reforme navznoter in navzven.

3. Da bi EU zavarovala svoje strateške in geopolitične interese, se mora čimprej razširiti z Ukrajino, Moldavijo in države Zahodnega Balkana. Dolžan sem opozoriti, da se glede širitve na Zahodni Balkan še posebej mudi.’’

Bivši predsednik republike Pahor je sodeloval tudi v razpravi z naslovom “Europe as a challenge – Is the EU ready for new challenges?”.

Ponovno je poudaril, da je 20 let po veliki širitvi prihodnost Evropske unije videti manj jasna in celo manj sijajna, vendar, da se je potrebno vprašati, kakšna bi bila ta prihodnost brez Evropske unije.

‘‘Evropska unija ni problem, Evropska unija je rešitev.’’

Former President Borut Pahor participated in the ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's membership in the European Union. In his speech, he highlighted three key strategic tasks for the EU's future:

‘‘From a strategic perspective, several fundamental needs and tasks for the future of the European Union are evident:

1. To continue safeguarding and strengthening peace and security, the EU must, given the current geopolitical urgency, enhance its defense capabilities.

2. To be an influential player in the international community and effective internally, the EU requires necessary reforms both within and beyond its borders.

3. To protect its strategic and geopolitical interests, the EU must expand as soon as possible to include Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries. I must emphasize the particular urgency of enlargement in the Western Balkans.’’

Former President Pahor also took part in the debate titled “Europe as a Challenge – Is the EU Ready for New Challenges?” He reiterated that, 20 years after the major EU enlargement, the Union's future seems less clear and even less bright.

However, he stressed the importance of reflection: ‘‘What would the future look like without the European Union? The European Union is not the problem; the European Union is the solution.’’