Prime Minister Golob: The Slovenian Government is well aware of all the challenges

In his speech, Prime Minister Golob said that it had been a challenging year and that the world needed hope. "The Slovenian Government is well aware of all the challenges we are facing both on the domestic and foreign policy fronts. Over the past year, we have managed to stabilise the economy, which is in excellent shape in Slovenia. We have stabilised public finances, so that the deficit is much lower than expected and public debt is also lower despite the challenging environment. As the budget for the next two years has already been adopted, we can plan our actions with a great deal of hope and optimism," the Prime Minister said. 

He added that we have already started to reap the rewards of our reform efforts. "The pay reform in the public sector is the first step Slovenia has taken to implement its reforms. Only a motivated and decently paid public sector can make reforms a success. Without this, talk about the success of reforms is just empty talk", the Prime Minister explained. 

He went on to refer to Slovenia's activities in international politics, stressing its presidency of the United Nations Security Council last year. "This presidency was marked above all by three crises, three wars, three catastrophes for humanity. The catastrophes in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. I would like to offer a ray of hope, because I truly believe that in the next few days we may finally see an end to the inhuman treatment by the Israeli military in Gaza and a ceasefire signed," the Prime Minister said.   

"Slovenia will do everything it can to ensure that this ceasefire remains in place and that the two-state solution is implemented. This will finally allow Palestine to take its place as a sovereign state in the world community," the Prime Minister said of the situation in Gaza. 

He added that he truly believes that the coming weeks and months bring a unique opportunity to end Russia's aggression against Ukraine. "I believe that the conditions are ripe for a just peace, which is what Ukrainians really want most of all in the world. The international community must put its own interests aside and look first and foremost at how to achieve a just peace. I believe that the opportunity lies ahead of us, and that we may seize it even sooner than we think," Prime Minister Golob said on the war in Ukraine. 

He went on to express his hope that peace would indeed come to these two most visible war zones. He expressed his conviction that Europe is also aware of the historic opportunities for the Eastern and South-Eastern regions in the area of enlargement. 

"I am convinced that in this mandate of the European Commission – also thanks to the Commissioner from Slovenia – the conditions for at least two, maybe even three, countries of the South-Eastern region to join the European Union will be fulfilled," the Prime Minister said in his address. He added: "I believe that it is the duty of all of us who are already members of the European family to give them this possibility of accession, without regard to our own particular interests. We will do everything to make it happen."

Prime Minister Golob also touched upon the importance of knowledge, which manifests itself in various fields, and Slovenia has recently made two very important steps in this area. "We have joined the European Space Agency, to reach for the stars. Just last week, Slovenia took over the presidency of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)," the Prime Minister stressed, thanking the diplomatic representatives for the trust that their countries have placed in Slovenia.

"Slovenia believes that the future of humanity lies in renewable energy sources. Slovenia believes that we must do everything we can to accelerate this future. Slovenia believes that the international community also recognises this and that together we will follow this path to create a better world for new generations," Prime Minister Robert Golob concluded.

Speech by Prime Minister Robert Golob

This past year has been truly challenging, and I would like to thank the President of Slovenia for her comprehensive, insightful and precise account of the global situation and expectations for the future. I fully agree with her assessment, so I will not repeat it but rather continue where she left off. The President concluded with words of hope, that this life is the only one we have. As a renowned Italian film director has said, "Life is beautiful." If we approach life with the understanding that it is both unique and beautiful, we will be able to fulfil the hope that we so desperately need in this demanding and difficult world.

The Slovenian Government is well aware of all the challenges we are facing, both on the domestic and foreign policy fronts. Over the past year, we managed to stabilise the economy, which is now in excellent shape. We also managed to stabilise public finances, resulting in a deficit that is significantly lower than expected. Despite challenging circumstances, we have adopted the budget for the next two years, so that we can plan our actions not only with a great deal of hope but in particular with considerable optimism. We have already started to reap the rewards of our reform efforts. The pay reform in the public sector is the first step Slovenia has taken to implement its reforms. Only a motivated and decently paid public sector can make reforms a success. Without this, talk about the success of reforms is just empty talk.

Last year, Slovenia was particularly active in international policy, not least because of our presidency of the United Nations Security Council. Due to the circumstances the Slovenian President described, this presidency was strongly marked by three crises, three wars and three human catastrophes – in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

However, I do not wish to focus on what is wrong but would rather like to offer a ray of hope. I truly believe that in the coming days, we may finally see an end to the inhuman treatment by the Israeli military in Gaza and a ceasefire signed. Slovenia will do everything it can to ensure that this ceasefire remains in place, that the two-state solution for Palestine is implemented, and that Palestine can finally assume its sovereign place in the global community, with its people achieving peace and freedom.

At the same time, I believe that the coming weeks and months bring a unique opportunity to end Russia's aggression against Ukraine. I am convinced that the conditions are ripe for a just peace, which is what Ukrainians really want most of all in the world. The international community must put its own interests aside and look first and foremost at how to achieve a just peace. I believe that the opportunity lies ahead of us, and that we may seize it even sooner than we think.

Positive developments are also emerging in our neighbourhood. I am convinced that Europe is also aware of the historic opportunity for EU enlargement in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions. EU member states have a historic duty to support and implement this enlargement. I am confident that during the current mandate of the European Commission – also thanks to the efforts of Slovenia’s Commissioner – the conditions will be met for at least two, and possibly even three, countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions to join the European Union. I believe it is the duty of all of us who are already members of the European family to facilitate this accession, setting aside our own narrow interests. We will do everything to make this happen, and I am really optimistic in this regard.

To conclude with the freshest news: I am convinced, as the President has already emphasised, that knowledge is the foundation of progress. Knowledge manifests itself in various fields in Slovenia. Building on our expertise and reputation in the international community, Slovenia has achieved two significant milestones. First, we joined the European Space Agency, reaching for the stars. Second, just last week, Slovenia took over the presidency of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

I would like to sincerely thank all of you for the trust your countries have placed in Slovenia within the international community. Slovenia firmly believes that the future of humanity lies in renewable energy. We believe that we must do everything in our power to accelerate this future. Slovenia is confident that the international community recognises this as well, and that together we will follow this path to create a better world for new generations.