Reaffirming Slovenia’s Strategic and Civilizational Alignment

Statement of the Cathedral of Liberty on Reaffirming Slovenia’s Strategic and Civilizational Alignment

Slovenian translation is available too.

In the context of concerning activities of the current Slovenian government, we wish to reaffirm the strong and enduring attachment of the Slovenian nation to the values and institutions of the West.

Slovenia’s national identity has, except for a period between 1945 and 1990, been founded on the traditions of the West. Since the fall of communism and gaining independence, Slovenia has been built on a strong commitment to democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, free market economy, and effective multilateralism.

Our membership in the European Union, the NATO, and the OECD reflect not only a geopolitical choice, but a civilizational one.

We remain unwavering in our support for the transatlantic alliance and the collective security architecture it provides. NATO is the cornerstone of Slovenia’s strategic posture, and we continue to believe that defense commitments, including those regarding capability development and budgetary responsibilities, are essential to our credibility as allies.

We also express our full solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression. Ukraine’s struggle is not only about its own sovereignty, but about the right of free nations to freely choose their future. Slovenia must stand united with its European and Euro-Atlantic partners in offering Ukraine not only humanitarian but also military assistance.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, we remain deeply committed to lasting and just peace that can be achieved only after everyone recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist. The terrorist attack and atrocities committed on October 7, 2023, by Hamas—an organization that openly seeks Israel’s destruction—were a stark reminder of the threat Western democracies are facing. We join the international community in calling for the immediate release of all hostages and for accountability for those responsible. At the same time, we share deep concern over the humanitarian toll in Gaza and believe that the principles of proportionality and the protection of civilians must guide military actions. The right of Israel to defend itself and compassion for innocent lives must not be seen as mutually exclusive, but as expressions of our shared moral and legal commitments.

In this context, we feel compelled to express concern about certain recent decisions and gestures made by the current Slovenian government, including:

• political gambling with Slovenian NATO membership;

• misrepresenting Slovenia’s defense expenditure commitments;

• unconditionally recognizing the State of Palestine under circumstances that risk legitimizing Hamas, and introduction of sanctions against Israel.

They all suggest a shift in foreign policy that departs from Slovenia’s longstanding strategic orientation. These steps raise doubts about the government’s alignment with the West’s core security and diplomatic consensus.

Similar concerns arise with regard to domestic developments, where troubling shifts include attempts to exert political influence over independent institutions, including the judiciary and public media; symbolic efforts to rehabilitate the undemocratic legacy of the 1945–1990 communist regime; and rejection of the European Parliament’s Resolution 2025/2575(RSP) on safeguarding the memory of the victims of communism.

Both the international as well as the domestic activities not only risk alienating Slovenia from the mainstream of democratic Europe, but also undermine the foundational principles upon which our republic was established in 1991 and disregard the values overwhelmingly endorsed by the Slovenian people in a series of referenda—first in support of independence and democracy, and later in favor of joining the European Union and NATO.

We wish to assure our international partners, allies, and friends, that large segments of Slovenian society continue to see our place firmly within the Western alliance, alongside those who uphold freedom, peace, and the dignity of the human person. Slovenia is, and will remain, a reliable European and Western partner—one that credibly contributes to the defense of our common legacy in a time of rising global uncertainty.

Ljubljana, August 2025.

For the Cathedral of Liberty the editors of the monograph Consensus for the Historical Moment:

• Žiga Turk, professor, former minister,

• Dimitrij Rupel, first and long-time foreign minister,

• Peter Jambrek, first president of the Constitutional Court,

• Ernest Petrič, former president of the Constitutional Court,

• Alenka Puhar, author,

• Ivan Štuhec, theologian,

• Tomaž Zalaznik, author and publisher.

Already supported by:

• Alojz Peterle, first democratically elected prime minister of Slovenia,

• Janez Janša, three times prime minister, leader of SDS party,

• Tina Bregant, president, Slovenian People’s Party,

• Andrej Drapal, philosopher,

• Andrej Jemec, painter, member, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,

• Jožef Jerovšek, former chairman of the parliament’s Foreign affairs committee,

• Jelko Kacin, former defence minister, former ambassador to NATO,

• Tone Kajzer, former ambassador to US, vice president of Slovenian World Congress,

• Milček Komelj, art historian, member, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,

• Marko Lotrič, president of National Council, president of party FOKUS,

• Jožef Muhovič, painter, member, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,

• Janez Podobnik, former speaker of the Slovenian Parliament,

• Brane Senegačnik, poet, associate member, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,

• Tomaž Štih, author,

• Romana Tomc, member of the European Parliament,

• Matej Tonin, former defense minister, president of Nova Slovenia Party,

• Gregor Virant, former minister of public administration.