NATO Secretary General Visited Slovenia
On 12 November 2001, NATO Secretary General George Robertson
visited Slovenia for a one-day official visit to Slovenia as part of a
tour of all nine NATO candidate countries ahead of next year's NATO
summit in Prague. He had official talks with Prime Minister Janez
Drnovsek, he also met President Milan Kucan, Speaker of Parliament
Borut Pahor and Defence Minister Anton Grizold.
Slovenia has been a very strong partner of NATO, both during the
Balkan conflict and following the attacks of September 11, Secretary
General of NATO George Robertson told to press following a meeting
with Slovene Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek.
Robertson pointed out that the third cycle of the Membership Action
Plan (MAP) would play an integral part in determining which countries
will be invited to join NATO in Prague. Despite the good record in
progress made by Slovenia, the country - like the other eight
candidate countries - still has work to do before potential
membership. He encouraged Slovenia to continue with efforts aimed at
preparing the country for its role in NATO, referring especially to
defence reforms.
Drnovsek assured that "Slovenia is a serious candidate, ready
to take its share of the responsibility for collective
security". The fact that Slovenia wants to take on its share of
the responsibility can be seen in its dedication to peace keeping
forces, Drnovsek highlighted. He pointed to an increase in the number
of Slovene Armed Forces personnel participating - a total of 140 in
Bosnia - in Balkan peace keeping operations. Furthermore, Drnovsek
pointed out increased funds given to the defence budget are evidence
of the fact that Slovenia is seriously preparing for membership.
Both Drnovsek and Robertson pointed out, that it is important for
Slovenia to understand both the benefits and responsibilities that
membership in the world's most important security organisation brings.
President Kucan explained Slovenia's determination and interest to
join NATO. Slovenia is especially attentive of its military
capacities with which it could contribute to the common defence system
of the Alliance, said Kucan. This serves as a realistic basis to
Slovenia's expectation to be invited to NATO.
Defence Minister Anton Grizold introduced Robertson to Slovenia's
defence reforms and preparations of the country's security system for
NATO membership. Slovenia is aware it is building a defence system
primarily for itself, it is determined to carry out its plans, not
only for NATO, but for Slovenia, stressed Grizold, who also expressed
conviction that Slovenia would be invited to NATO at the Prague
summit.
Grizold presented the Ministry's priorities, including the
administration reform and the defence budget. Grizold said that
Slovenia's defence finances may be limited, but small and efficient
armed forces would be established. Slovenia will thus have to reduce
the number of Armed Forces members to 26,000, of which about a quarter
would be professionals by 2010.
According to Robertson, downsizing and professionalising of the
Slovene Armed Forces are key priorities as the country needs to be
capable of integrating into NATO structures. The high NATO official
also reminded that the armed forces of candidate countries have to be
"appropriate for the challenges we will face in the future".
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