“This is the craziest move by Slovenian diplomacy since the beginning of its existence,” international lawyer Dr Miha Pogačnik commented on the Slovenian government’s intentions to recognise Palestine. Additionally, opposition leader Janez Janša claims that the move by Prime Minister Golob and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Fajon is detrimental to Slovenia’s national interests.
Today, the government initiated procedures for the recognition of Palestine, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon told reporters. It is the first, important and irreversible step in the recognition process, she said. She also announced that the government would send its decision to the National Assembly within one month, or before the 13th of June. All this despite the fact that Palestine does not currently meet the criteria for statehood. International law expert Dr Miha Pogačnik says that this would be the craziest move ever made by Slovenian diplomacy.
“A state can only come into existence when it meets the criteria for statehood under international law. Palestine, however, does not meet the criteria in question. Slovenia was also not created on the 15th of January 1992, when it was recognised by the European communities, or later when it was admitted to the United Nations, but when it was created – on the 25th of June 1991, when it fulfilled the constitutive conditions,” Pogačnik, an international lawyer, explained.
Pogačnik went on to say that the act of recognition would not bring much to Palestine but would do great harm to Slovenia. “We would fall out of the circle of developed Western countries with a calm and non-activist diplomacy. We would be offending the big economies at the expense of recognising someone who has practically no economy and depends on donations,” he explained.
The craziest move of Slovenian diplomacy
One of the arguments in favour of the recognition that can be read in the Slovenian media is that recognition would put an end to the military operation in Gaza. But is that really what would happen? Pogačnik does not think so: “The military operation would not end in any case. If Palestine were granted the status of a state, then Palestine would not be recognised as a terrorist, but as an aggressor. Israel has the right to defend itself even against an aggressor. Then the attack that took place on the 7th of October 2023 would not be a terrorist attack, but an aggression.”
Pogačnik believes that Israel’s military operation against Hamas will continue.
“This is the craziest move by Slovenian diplomacy since the beginning of its existence.”
He was also critical of the lack of general consensus in Slovenia on the recognition itself. Namely, there is no consensus, as this is merely an activist project of the current government, and not of Slovenian politics as such.
Recognition only after a solution by the international community
Pogačnik went on to explain that before Palestine can be recognised, we first need a solution from the international community – possibly a two-state solution. “But first, there has to be that solution, only then can you recognise a state. Only when the elements of the border are defined, when you know what you are recognising in the first place.”
Finally, he pointed out the obvious bias of Slovenian foreign policy. On the one hand, it is following developments in Gaza very closely, but on the other hand, it is blind to the suffering of, for example, Christians in Nigeria, who are often the target of terrorist attacks.
Janša: This is detrimental to Slovenia’s national interests
The Golob government’s decision to reward a terrorist massacre with 1,200 killed and 240 Israeli hostages with the recognition of statehood has been harshly criticised by the leader of the opposition, Janez Janša, who also believes that the apparent unbalanced foreign policy of Prime Minister Golob and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is harming Slovenia’s national interests.
Irish media: 4 countries considering recognition of Palestine on the 21st of May
The Irish broadcaster RTE News reports that Slovenia is part of a small group of countries that are considering recognising Palestine as a sovereign state on the 21st of May. In addition to Slovenia, the group includes Malta, Ireland, and Spain. The same broadcaster reports that these countries are awaiting a vote on the 10th of May at the United Nations, which could potentially open the way for Palestine to become independent. The authorities in Jerusalem claim that the recognition would be a “reward for terrorism,” which at the same time reduces the chances of peace negotiations in Gaza.
Ž. K.
