Bled, 1. september 2015 – S paneloma na temo Zahodnega Balkana in vprašanj starajoče se družbe se je zaključil 10. Strateški forum Bled (BSF) - ena od vodilnih konferenc v regiji za obravnavo aktualnih globalnih vprašanj. Letošnjega foruma se je udeležilo več kot 700 gostov iz 65 držav in mednarodnih organizacij. Dogodek je spremljalo tudi več kot 120 predstavnikov domačih in tujih medijev.

Drugi dan foruma se je začel s panelom Mostovi Sredozemlja - moč medkulturnega dialoga, na katerem so udeleženci, izpostavili pomen izobraževanja, osveščanja o kulturni raznolikosti za dolgoročno stabilnost regije. Poudarili so pomen medkulturnega dialoga pri soočanju z vprašanjem naraščajočih migracijskih tokov.

Na panelu o razvoju kot globalnem partnerstvu je bilo težišče razprave posvečeno iskanju ravnotežja med bojem za odpravljanje revščine in zagotavljanjem okoljske trajnosti. Udeleženci so izpostavili, da uradna razvojna pomoč ni edini instrument zagotavljanja razvoja ter poudarili pomen sodelovanja med deležniki, tudi gospodarstva.

V okviru panela o krepitvi boja proti nekaznovanosti prek partnerstev in sodelovanja so bili predstavljeni pozitivni primeri krepitve mednarodnega kazenskega pravosodja. Navkljub temu ostaja veliko zločinov nekaznovanih. Posebej so opozorili na zločine s strani nedržavnih akterjev.

V razpravi o Zahodnem Balkanu kot regiji v središču geostrateških premislekov so udeleženci obravnavali geografski položaj Balkana in vlogo regionalnih in globalnih velesil pri določanju energetskih in prometnih poti v regiji. Izpostavili so pomen novih regionalnih iniciativ, ki imajo za cilj izgradnjo konkretne infrastrukturne povezave z EU.

Pri vprašanjih starajoče se družbe so panelisti razpravljali o demografskih trendih v Evropi in vlogi starejših v družbi. Opozorili so na težave diskriminacije in socialne šibkosti starejših, ki se jim lahko izognemo samo s konkretnimi ukrepi za integracijo starejših v družbo in izboljšanjem zmogljivosti za podporo starajočemu prebivalstvu.

V okviru konference je potekal tudi poslovni BSF. Na uvodnem dogodku so udeleženci izmenjali stališča o izkušnjah evropskih držav pri premagovanju finančne krize in novih mehanizmih za zagotavljanje vzdržne gospodarske rasti. V razpravi o čezatlantskem partnerstvo v trgovini in pri naložbah (TTIP) je večina panelistov izpostavila pomen širšega partnerstva med EU in ZDA. Panel o prometu je izpostavil nujne investicije v prometno infrastrukturo za zagotavljanje konkurenčnosti regije.

Ena glavnih tem poslovnega dela BSF je bil sicer turizem, kjer je bila rdeča nit sodelovanje in povezovanje tako med državami kot podjetji. K plodni razpravi je prispevala udeležba vodilnih predstavnikov mednarodnih organizacij in agencij s področja turizma ter udeležba številnih držav iz srednje in vzhodne Evrope. Poudarjena je bila vloga Slovenije pri povezovanju evropskih držav in predstavljanju na oddaljenih trgih. Slovenija bo 2. septembra gostila drugo zasedanje vrha turizma držav srednje in vzhodne Evrope s Kitajsko (16+1).

V ponedeljek se je z razpravo o ustvarjanju prihodnosti in priložnostih za ambiciozne mlade voditelje zaključil tudi BSF mladih. Na zaključnem panelu so udeleženci imeli priložnost za razpravo o perečih z uveljavljenimi voditelji, med njimi tudi z bivšim predsednikom Republike Slovenije dr. Danilom Türkom.

Med stranskimi dogodki foruma je potekala predstavitev ITF Ustanove za človekovo varnost od njenih začetkov na področju razminiranja na Balkanu do širitve aktivnosti ustanove in geografskih področij delovanja. Kot poseben stranski dogodek je bil organiziran panel o glasbi v mednarodnih odnosih, na katerem so udeleženci razpravljali o vlogi glasbe pri premagovanju konfliktov in izgradnji partnerstev.

Na tiskovni konferenci ob zaključku foruma je minister Erjavec letošnji BSF ocenil kot zelo uspešen, tako glede števila in ravni udeležencev kot tudi glede vsebin, ki so jih naslovili v razpravah. Kot najbolj pereča tema so se tudi v dvostranskih pogovorih z visokimi gosti pričakovano izstopale migracije, kjer se je pokazala pomanjkljivost mehanizmov EU in nujnost krepitve sodelovanja držav na t.i. balkanski poti. Minister Erjavec je izpostavil koristne pogovore o Zahodnem Balkanu, ki so potrdile pomembno mesto Slovenije v procesih za stabilnost in napredek regije ter njeno približevanje EU.

Minister Erjavec je ocenil, da je tudi letošnji BSF potrdil svoj namen in prispeval k prepoznavnosti Slovenije. Zahvalil se je sponzorjem, partnerjem in sodelavcem, ki so omogočili uspešen dogodek.

BLED, 1 September 2015 – with the panel on the Western Balkans and the issues of an aging society 10th Bled Strategic Forum, which is one of the leading conferences in the region to deal with current global issues, has ended. This year’s Forum was attended by more than 700 guests from 65 countries and international organisations. The event was accompanied by over 120 representatives of domestic and foreign media.

The second day of the Forum began with a panel Bridges of Mediterranean – the power of Intercultural Dialogue, at which participants emphasized the importance of education, awareness of cultural diversity for the long-term stability of the region. They stressed the importance of intercultural dialogue in tackling the issue of growing migration flows.

On the panel Development as global partnership the focus of discussions was devoted to the search for a balance between the fight against poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability. Participants pointed out that ODA is not the only instrument to ensure the development and underlined the importance of cooperation between stakeholders, including the economy.
As part of a panel on stepping up the fight against impunity through partnerships and collaboration positive examples of strengthening the international criminal justice were presented. Despite this, many crimes remain unpunished. In particular, they pointed to the crimes committed by non-state actors.

In the discussion on the Western Balkans as a region in the center of geostrategic considerations, the participants discussed the geographical position of the Balkans and the role of regional and global superpowers in determining the energy and transportation routes in the region. Underlining the importance of new regional initiatives, which aim to build specific infrastructure links with the EU.

On issues of an aging society panelists discussed the demographic trends in Europe and the role of older people in society. They pointed out the problems of discrimination and social fragility of the elderly, which can be avoided only by concrete measures for the integration of older people in society and improving capacity to support an aging population.

In the framework of the conference, also Business BSF was held. During the opening event, participants exchanged views on the experience of European countries in overcoming the financial crisis and new mechanisms for ensuring sustainable economic growth. In the debate on the transatlantic partnership in trade and investment (TTIP), most panelists stressed the importance of a broader partnership between the EU and the US. Panel on Transport highlighted the urgent investment in transport infrastructure to ensure the competitiveness of the region.

One of the main topics of the business part of BSF was namely tourism, which has been the common thread cooperation and integration between countries and companies. Leading representatives of international organizations and agencies in the field of tourism and the participation of many countries in Central and Eastern Europe contributed to the fruitful discussion. They emphasized the role of Slovenia in the integration of European countries and presenting to distant markets. Slovenia will be September 2 hosted the second meeting of the top tourism countries of Central and Eastern Europe, with China (16 + 1).

On Monday, the debate on the future and creating opportunities for ambitious young leaders completed the Young BSF. In the final panel, participants had the opportunity to discuss pressing issues with established leaders, including the former President of the Republic of Slovenia, dr. Danilo Türk.

Among the side events of the Forum presentation of the ITF Foundation for Human Security since its inception in the field of demining in the Balkans to the expansion of activities the institutions and geographical areas of operation, was held. As a special side event panel on music in international relations, where the participants discussed the role of music in overcoming conflict and building partnerships, was organized.

At a press conference at the conclusion of the Forum, Minister Erjavec said that this year's BSF was very successful, both in terms of the number and level of participants as well as the content that they have addressed in the discussions. As the most pressing issue in bilateral discussions with distinguished guests were migration issues, where weakness of EU mechanisms showed and the need to strengthen cooperation in these countries Balkan route. Minister Erjavec highlighted the useful discussions on the Western Balkans, which confirmed the important role of Slovenia in the process for the stability and prosperity of the region and its progress towards the EU.

Minister Erjavec estimated that this year's BSF confirmed its intention to contribute to the visibility of Slovenia. He thanked the sponsors, partners and collaborators, which enabled a successful event.