“I have no pro-Russian views, only pro-Slovenian ones. We assert that Slovenia must conduct its politics independently, sovereignly,” said Zoran Stevanović.
Павялічыць
Slovenian Parliament. Photo: Hugh Rooney / Eye Ubiquitous / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Zoran Stevanović, Speaker of the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) of Slovenia and leader of the “Resnica” (Truth) party, announced plans to organize a referendum on Slovenia’s withdrawal from NATO.
“I have no pro-Russian views, only pro-Slovenian ones. We assert that Slovenia must conduct its politics independently, sovereignly. We are strictly against interference in foreign military and diplomatic disputes, as Slovenia never benefits from it. We promised the people a referendum on leaving NATO, and we will hold that referendum,” he said in an interview for Radio and Television of Slovenia.
Stevanović emphasized readiness to cooperate “with all countries of the world, especially with great powers,” but added that this cooperation should never mean subservience. “Good relations with everyone, but in the interests of Slovenia,” he noted.
The party supports a referendum on leaving NATO, but regarding a referendum on leaving the European Union (EU), Stevanović stated that it would not be positively received by the people, as the country receives significant benefits from the EU. At the same time, the Speaker of the National Assembly noted that “Ljubljana must again become the main decision-making center for Slovenia, not Brussels.”
Stevanović took over as the head of the lower house of the Slovenian parliament last week. In the interview, he also mentioned plans for foreign visits in his new position. Among the first are Skopje and Copenhagen. “I would like to build bridges to work well with all countries, regardless of the wall built between West and East. Therefore, I plan to visit Moscow soon,” Stevanović added.