In Slovenia ‘completely inappropriate’ session on military readiness for arbitration implementation

An extraordinary session of the Slovenian parliamentary defense committee dedicated to the “readiness of the military to implement the arbitration ruling on the border with Croatia,” convened by the committee chairman Žan Mahnič from the largest opposition party SDS, will still take place on Thursday despite government calls to cancel the session and announcements of a boycott by some ruling parties, Hina has learned in the Slovenian parliament.

This was confirmed by Mateja Erčulj, spokesperson for the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), whose member is parliamentary representative and chairman of the defense committee Žan Mahnič.

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The session will be held behind closed doors starting at 4 PM, and afterwards, Mahnič may give a public statement “depending on what happens at the session,” Erčulj told Hina.

When asked whether Mahnič’s initiative to convene the committee session is backed by the leading opposition party of Janez Janša, she replied that SDS supports its representative, but that the initiative for the meeting is his.

Unnecessary session

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar has repeatedly called for the session to be canceled in recent days, labeling the topic as “completely inappropriate.” He warned that this sends the wrong signals to the international public regarding the dispute with Croatia, as Slovenia intends to implement the arbitration decision peacefully. Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec similarly reacted, deeming the convening of the session unnecessary.

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Responding to Cerar’s call to cancel the session, Mahnič said at a press conference on Tuesday that his move is entirely legitimate and questioned why the Prime Minister is only reacting now to the convening of the session, although it was called ten days ago.

Speculation has emerged in Slovenian media that Cerar reacted sharply only after the information was reported by the German news agency dpa, with a comment that this could lead to tensions and conflicts between Croatia and Slovenia.

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– Given the statements of Prime Minister Cerar and Foreign Minister Erjavec that they are losing patience with Croatia, that there has been enough diplomacy, and that Slovenia will implement the arbitration agreement on its own, I decided to convene the defense committee session to ask the government what its scenarios are if a conflict arises, Mahnič explained his move to reporters.

Mahnič also claims that information has “leaked” to him from Cerar’s office that a conflict in the Gulf of Piran is possible if Slovenia attempts to unilaterally implement the arbitration decision regarding the sea.

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– I have received information from the Prime Minister’s office that Croatia has already sent its coast guard ships to the vicinity of Umag and Pula, and that allegedly members of the special units of the Croatian army are also on them. Furthermore, Prime Minister Miro Cerar is reportedly aware of the Republic of Croatia’s plan not to allow the implementation of the arbitration decision in the Gulf of Piran, and that it will defend half of the gulf by all means if Slovenia attempts to assert its sovereignty in that area, Mahnič said.