Slovenia To Host Bled Strategic Forum: Annual European Prestigious Geopolitical Conference – OpEd
By Peter Tase
On September 2 – 3, 2024, Slovenia will be hosting the Bled Strategic Forum International Conference, in the gorgeous city of Bled; one of the top resort cities in Europe, crowned by an alpine lake and a wealth of architectural masterpieces.
Bled Strategic Forum International Conference is the most important geopolitical gathering in Europe; where the world’s diplomats, heads of state and government conduct discussions for the betterment of the world.
This year’s event will be held under the theme “A World of Parallel Realities”. The aim of the conference is to generate innovative solutions and pursue policies that benefit the regional security and economic growth of Europe, Asia and the world.
European continent is in the middle of high expectations, geopolitical turmoil, but also engulfed into a difficult cycle of political decisions. Strengthening the continent’s cohesion will take time, confidence, fortitude and perseverance.
Bled Strategic Forum will tackle the concept of Europe becoming a global player; “simultaneously, it is of the utmost importance that the EU act as a global player capable of demonstrating and leading the way toward a different, more sustainable, just and resilient international community.”
A dedicated global commitment is needed now. But how can cooperation and dialogue be strengthened and parallel tracks are avoided or diminished? How can we avoid double standards and, at the same time, consider specific situations and contexts? And how can we ensure that global concerns are addressed equitably around the world and ensure that human life is valued equally everywhere? We must preserve human dignity and move towards more responsible politics. These are all items that will be addressed in the upcoming Bled Strategic Forum.
In this year’s event is expected the participation of over twenty heads of state and government from Asia and Europe, as well as over 30 ministers of Foreign Affairs from European Union countries, Central Asia, and Western Hemisphere will attend and speak in the main designated sessions of the event.
According to Bled Strategic Forum Concept Summary: “The world’s relative, if often deceptive, age of peace, has come to an end; our peace dividend has expired. The Russian aggression on Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, both with unimaginable humanitarian consequences, are a vivid and catastrophic reminder of what can happen when the international community fails to act and uphold the necessary responsibility for global stability. Realpolitik and saber-rattling are once again winning – bilateral and regional alliances, which are driven by competitiveness, partial interests, hedging and confrontation, are replacing multilateralism and global cooperation with narrow plurilateral relations.”
As the most consolidated pillar of Slovenian soft power, The Bled Strategic Forum brings an additional platform for listening, hearing and understanding each other to the global space. This year’s forum has a particularly great responsibility, as Slovenia sits alongside the world’s greatest superpowers. Under the theme of “A World of Parallel Realities,” the 19th, Bled Strategic Forum will focus on working together for the common good, by listening and understanding beyond our own views.
According to Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs: “At a time when the International Community is facing a cycle of competition, insecurity, and antagonism, manifested in instability, violence and conflict, dialogue and sustainable solutions are a social imperative.” The Bled Strategic Forum as a platform expands the capacity of small countries – to listen, hear and understand others – into international space. In this way, the program of this year’s BSF reflects Slovenia’s efforts as a non – permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
In 2012, the Republic of Slovenia, under the effective leadership of Janez Janša, a center-right coalition government; introduced a series of austerity measures that were intended to reduce Slovenia’s budget deficit. Prime Minister Janez Janša of the Slovenian Democratic Party; had a successful administration towards tackling the growing unemployment rate and frozen baking sector.
In 2020 -2022, during Prime Minister Janša’s two-year government, Slovenia has experienced the sharpest economic growth, after a major isolation due to the public health pandemic. During this time, Slovenia significantly increased its diplomatic presence abroad and further strengthened the funding and rhetorical influence of Bled Strategic Forum. The Janša government has impressively strengthened democratic institutions, and continued to develop e a multifaceted approach on its strategic cooperation with the United States and other large democracies.
Janez Janša has been a very positive and emblematic figure, focused towards financially organizing the European Union Alliance and promote economic austerity measures for a stronger European defense platform and greater coordination among its member nations.
Prime Minister Janez Janša and his government have made Slovenia as a consolidate democracy, with transparent institutions and envied economic policies that reflect credibility, stability and fiscal accountability.
In August 31st, 2020, the Bled Strategic Forum was held under the theme: “Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-COVID–19 World: Neighbours – Regions – Global World: Partners or Rivals?” In this major international event, Anže Logar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, state that: “The EU, our second home, has been struggling too … A more assertive role on the global political stage remains a challenge. Slovenia firmly believed that the continuation of the EU enlargement process towards the Western Balkans should be a part of the vision of a union that radiates its attractive power. With global international cooperation weakened, the tendency goes towards smaller, regional frameworks…the European security, does not exist without the transatlantic alliance, even when we do not see exactly eye to eye or have competing interests. Security, together with values and democratic standards, is the cornerstone of our partnership.”
In 2020, Bled was visited by many delegations from the United States Government and European Union member nations, including: Mateusz Jakub Morawiecki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland; Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary; Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia; Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
Furthermore BSF 2020 was attended by: Matthew G. Boyse, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Christopher Cavoli, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe.
