The castle Jable yesterday (22 January 2015) held a public debate on the draft Declaration on the new foreign policy, which Slovenia should adopt in the first half of this year. Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec initially pointed out that the document is still open for comments and majority of those who were present agreed that the draft represents a good starting point, even though that there is still some place for improvements.

Current Declaration is, according to Foreign Minister, already outdated and because of that Slovenia now needs a reflection of what is in the vital interest of the state in its foreign policy. Slovenian foreign policy, according to Erjavec, is now based on three pillars: security policy, peace policy and ensuring prosperity. Yesterday's debate confirmed that the backbone of the new Declaration should be built on these foundations.

Head of Strategic Studies and Analysis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Leon Marc, pointed out the importance of consistency between Declaration and Strategy. The main question, which lead the creation of Declaration, was where Slovenia is today in international community.

Furthermore, also advantages and weaknesses of Slovenia, opportunities in the external environment and the external environment itself, were taken into the account, when preparing the text of Declaration. He also pointed out that Declaration provides yearly reporting of Foreign Minister to the National Assembly and cooperation of foreign policy with civil society.

Yesterday's public debate was attended by several dozens of participants, including Presidents of the National Assembly Committees on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Izidor Kamal Shaker and Jožef Horvat, who both expressed satisfaction that the discussion on the new draft declaration is open.

Public debate was also attended by former President, dr. Danilo Türk, who pointed out that Slovenia should, when it comes to its identity, consciously give up mentioning its small size. Furthermore, some participants felt that we should highlight Luka Koper and the Adriatic and Mediterranean identity of Slovenia in new Declaration. They called for an in-depth discussion on the values and also that Slovenia should set quantitative targets in foreign policy documents. Last but not least, Declaration should, in the opinion of participants, contribute to the strengthening of tolerance and understanding of different cultures.

In the coming weeks, there will be at least two public debates on the draft Declaration – in the National Council and in the Committee of the National Assembly for Foreign Policy.