Speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 21 May, Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar described the war waged by Israel since October 2023 in response to terrorist attacks by the Islamist movement Hamas as “genocide” of the Palestinian people.
“Let's be honest. I will allow myself to say this here, in the European Parliament. What we are witnessing in Gaza is genocide. We are watching... and we remain silent”, declared Ms Pirc Musar, triggering a standing ovation from the MEPs in the groups on the left of the Chamber. She felt that the European Union should make a “greater commitment” to help resolve the conflicts in the Middle East. However, in her view, the EU is “too divided and ineffective” to be able to put an end to the “bloodshed” and advance the two-state solution involving Israel and Palestine.
The Slovenian President set out a proactive stance in favour of a strong Europe, capable of guaranteeing peace and security, protecting its interests and defending its fundamental values – the rule of law, respect for human rights – in a world undergoing major change and marked by a series of challenges, with Ms Pirc Musar citing “Ukraine to the consequences of conflict in the Middle East [...] migration pressures, energy insecurity and, to an extent, the unpredictable ramifications of a new technological revolution” brought about by the development of artificial intelligence.
“We need more Europe, not less. [...] one that can protect its values and interests, while remaining a place of freedom, justice and opportunity” for the younger generations, declared Slovenia's first female president, elected on an independent ticket. To meet the challenges we face, “common European action is not only a necessity, it is our greatest asset”, she stressed.
Enlargement. Taking as an example the road travelled by her country since joining the EU in 2004, Ms Pirc Musar supported the accession of the Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. She advocated the accession “of as many countries as possible to the European Union by 2030”, while recognising that the progress these countries make will depend on the reforms they undertake.
The Slovenian President stressed the importance of giving a perspective to young people in the candidate countries, who often follow a path of exodus because they have no hope of a better life at home.
In order to welcome future members under the best possible conditions, the EU will have to reform itself from within by strengthening its decision-making capacity, modernising its policies and maintaining “an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and fundamental rights”, said Ms Pirc Musar. It will also be necessary, she added, to have “ the institutional and financial capacity” to make a success of enlargement, with the forthcoming discussions on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework being of great importance. In her view, it will also be necessary to educate the populations of countries that are already members, in order to convince them of the benefits of the arrival of new European citizens.
Read Pirc Musar’s speech: https://aeur.eu/f/gyl (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)