Slovenian national views on SEDM activities and SEEBRIG deployment

by H.E., Karl Erjavec, Minister of Defense

Dear host, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Making small words since his English ain’t that great!

I am honored to be given the opportunity to speak/give a speech at the SEDM ministerial meeting.I am honoured to be here today, and thank you for the opportunity to share Slovenia’s position on various issues.

First of all, allow me to welcome among us our Ukrainian colleague, His Excellency Anatoli Grytsenko. As of today his country has also officially become a full member of A? Our? Which defence cooperation? NATO? PfP? Make sure it’s named) SEDM.

Slovenia wants to particularly assist Slovenia has a particular interest in assisting the Western Balkan s countries in their democratization, economic progress and reforms reform of their defense systems. In this spirit, Slovenia supports the development of various forms of regional cooperation.

For this purpose, and in the context of the efforts directed by the international community to intensify and realize the cooperation among of Western Balkans countries, and in cooperation with the US European Command (EUCOM), the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia organized the Southeastern Europe Clearinghouse Conference in Ljubljana.

The conference was fruitful successful and became the project of the future is now a project we fully support (?). We are firmly convinced that its results will offer countries , it is intended to, adequate assistance in the process of transition.

In April of this year I visited members of the Slovenian Armed Forces participating in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. At numerous meetings with representatives of ISAF commanding structures and Afghan civil authorities, including President Karzajev, I could inform myself I became well acquainted withon the situation in this country.

This visit convinced me and confirmed to me that the priority of the international community is to establish effective and democratic authorities that will be able to lead Afghanistan toward democracy and a brighter future.

Along with the economic and social development, conditions for introducing effective mechanisms to reduce the production of narcotics in Afghanistan, which is a serious problemwill have to be laid down made a priority. (in a speech this won’t make sense)

The following significant process, the alliance is concentrating its attention to, is expanding its is expedient

Therefore, it is necessary that in the context of SEDM and SEEBRIG, we combine our efforts to cope with all political and organizational challenges, which will make possible a successful deployment and operation of SEEBRIG as part of the peace support operation in Afghanistan, where members of SEEBRIG will be deployed next year.

This is why I firmly believe that SEDM will grow from a crucial player in providing regional security into an organization that will contribute to the assurance of global security and stability.

Our closest hot spot/trouble spot is the Western Balkans, The Western Balkans remain our closest crisis area, where political and economic stability are a prerequisite to the security of entire all of Europe. Just becauseBecause of this, Slovenia is offering its assistance to these countries in planning and carrying out defense reforms and establishing democratic institutions. It Slovenia (?) encourages their the political and economic development and interethnic cooperation of these states.

This is also confirmed by the situation in Kosovo, which is relatively currently peaceful, . howeverHowever, a repetition of an outburst of large-scale conflicts is still possible. In the light of these facts, the presence of NATO forces should not be reduced, . since the The reduction of KFOR forces,in these unpredictable political and security situation, when decisions are made on the status of the province and the implementation of international standards, is unnecessary and would give a negative signal to the population. When solving the open issue concerning the status of Kosovo, international standards for protection of minorities have to be taken into consideration. (Sentences far too long for a speech.)

Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, decided to initiate accession activities to Euro-Atlantic links, which is supported and welcomed by Slovenia. Political, economical and defense reforms in Serbia and Montenegro as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina will in each case have a major impact on the future development of the entire Balkans region.

Therefore, intensifying the cooperation of Serbia and Montenegro as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina in the framework of SEDM displays an outstanding initiative for both countries to fulfill all goals for a PfP membership.

Allow me to thank the my host, the Secretary of Defense of the United States and his staff for their generous hospitality we were offered during our visit.

Thank you for your attention.

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SEDM Meeting, 06 December 2005, Washington DC