Hello. During its 86th meeting, which took place today
and was the first scheduled meeting of the year, the government
approved Slovenia's participation in the advisory decision
of the International Court of Justice in the Hague
about Israel's policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will tell us more.
The government also drafted a bill for the introduction of a EU decree
on a single digital market.
The proposed bill will be introduced
by Digital Transformation Minister Emilija Stojmenova Duh.
You have the floor, Minister.
Hello and welcome to members of the media.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year.
May it be successful and peaceful. On the recommendation
of the Foreign Ministry, the government approved
Slovenia's participation in the case at the International Court
of Justice on the Israel's allegedly problematic actions in Gaza
and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The procedure was initiated by the UN General Assembly
based on a resolution from December 2022.
Slovenia voted in favor of the resolution at the time.
The General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice
for an advisory opinion regarding the consequences
of Israel's actions on the human rights situation
in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel's alleged
violation of the Palestinians' right to self-determination.
Israel's alleged actions cover everything
from long-term occupation, settlements, and annexations
of Palestinian territory by Israel since 1967
to Israel's actions intended to change the demographics,
character, and status of Jerusalem, as well as legislation and measures
that discriminate against the Palestinians.
This is an exceptionally wide spectrum of alleged violations
that have been going on in the region for years
and whose horrifying consequences are evident today.
In light of the recent events in Gaza and the West Bank,
Slovenia decided, as one of only a few EU countries,
decided to actively take part in this case at the International
Court of Justice and present its opinions.
The court will rule on Israel's alleged violations
primarily on the basis of international humanitarian law
and international human rights law, areas to which Slovenia
is paying particular attention as part of its foreign policy
and alerting the world to its violations,
including in the context of the current conditions in Gaza.
Slovenia's position on the conflict in the Middle East is clear.
I have repeated it publicly many times
in various discussions at both the UN and the EU,
and I would like to state it again.
I harshly condemn both the aggression of Hamas in Israel
and the aggression of Israel in Gaza.
Civilians shouldn't be the targets.
I draw attention to serious violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law in Gaza.
We can't brand all Palestinians as terrorists.
I'd like to draw attention to violations of humanitarian
and human rights law.
Since October 7, some 23,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Of these, 70% have been women and children.
Almost two million people have been displaced within Gaza.
This is 85% of the entire population.
Therefore, I strongly condemn any intention
to resettle the Palestinian population outside Gaza
or the West Bank and reduce the size of Palestinian territory.
Gaza and the West Bank belong to the Palestinians.
I call for the adoption of additional sanctions
against both Hamas and violent Israeli settlers on the West Bank.
I have also repeatedly urged the declaration of a permanent
ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid.
The scenes we're seeing today, showing a horrible winter
and destroyed infrastructure, proved what I have long been saying,
namely that the world has failed its test of humanity.
I therefore urge the imminent start of a peace process
and a two-state solution, which naturally means
the international recognition of a Palestinian state.
Our goal is the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians
side by side.
The beginning of oral arguments, the subject of our decision,
has been scheduled by the court for February 19.
Slovenia will get its turn on February 13.
Slovenia will be represented at the International Court of Justice
under the auspices of the Ministry for Foreign and European affairs.
The process of issuing an advisory opinion
provides an opportunity for renewed trust in and credibility
of international institutions regarding the situation in Gaza.
Slovenia believes that countries, as part of the international
community, must help the International Court of Justice
and ensure that Israel and the other sides of the conflict
obey their international obligations.
The opinion issued by this court can serve as an instrument
to establish a wider political consensus
regarding this issue.
As for the legal case that is being discussed today
after being filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice,
I'd like to point out that this process has not yet reached
a phase where we could take part as an intervenor.
In this phase, which involves decisions about temporary measures
and before the court even determines if it's competent
to decide on this matter, Slovenia can't join the case.
This will only be possible after the court decides
whether it can consider the case.
Slovenia will follow the case. The proceedings are interesting
and important. Slovenia supports measures taken regarding
violations of the Genocide Convention
in both Ukraine and Palestine.
As a proponent of international law, Slovenia wholeheartedly supports
the work of the International Court if Justice and hopes
that it will make its decision as soon as possible.
I'd like to emphasize that only the court
can decide if certain actions amount to genocide or not.
No state, organization, or political representative
has the mandate to do that in place of the court.
Slovenia supports international courts
and their judgments regarding wars around the world.
Specifically, we support the International Criminal Court's
investigation in Palestine. We also support the International
Court of Justice in all cases regarding Palestine.
Finally, allow me to address yesterday's canceled screening
organized by the Israeli Embassy at Mini Teater
and the threats received by Mini Teater.
Intolerance has no place in our society,
so I condemn all intolerant and hateful acts.
To resolve disagreements or find common ground,
we always need a conversation.
Our ministry doesn't see this event as interference
in our internal affairs, but I expect the Israeli Embassy
to obey Slovenian laws, the laws of diplomacy,
and established practices when organizing the event.
If there was any activity that may have raised concern
or may do so in the future, we'll react appropriately. Thank you.
Thank you Minister. Questions for the press. Step up to the mic
and introduce yourselves. -Hello. Anže Božič, POP TV.
I'm curious about the last two things you mentioned.
Regarding the South African case at the International Court,
of Justice, as I understand it, there are two different cases.
You said that it's to early for countries to join
the South African initiative, but that it seems interesting.
I'm curious if Slovenia has a favorable attitude to that case.
And will the Israeli Ambassador be called for consultations?
That's a powerful diplomatic tool. If I understand you correctly,
the answer is no.
Regarding your first question, the International Court of Justice
is holding a hearing today on South Africa's initiative.
The country can present its arguments regarding
accusations against Israel relating to the war, genocide,
and the intentional killing of the Palestinian people.
Tomorrow, Israel will get a chance to present its position,
which refutes the allegations. The court will then decide
if it's even competent to rule on this matter.
There are various possible paths forward.
In any case, when Slovenia is notified by the court's secretariat
that the court will rule on this case,
we'll use legal arguments to make our decision.
We do have a favorable attitude to this case based on our
consistent support for international courts in their investigation
of war crimes.
We'll decide in the next phase,
but we do expect the court to call on Israel early on
to end its military campaign, but any ruling on genocide
would require a case that could last several years.
Based on the legal arguments we'll have when the court
makes its ruling in the days ahead,
we'll decide whether Slovenia takes part or not.
That decision is also for the government to make.
As for your second question, I've consulted my colleagues
at the Foreign Ministry regarding the screening of the film.
Slovenia isn't the only country involved. Israel is screening
the film everywhere because it wants to draw attention to the atrocities
carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
These are diplomatic activities that the embassy can carry out.
Of course, I expect all activities
to be in line with diplomatic practices and Slovenian legislation.
Yesterday's situation may also attest to the fact
that the embassy could perhaps organise such events differently
or perhaps at a more appropriate time,
as it caused significant unease and protests
at a time when every day there is an enormous amount
of civilian victims in Gaza and the West Bank.
I do not see this
as interfering with Slovenia's democratic processes,
they are diplomatic activities that any embassy can conduct.
If it turns out that inappropriate practices were involved,
we will respond. We are in regular contact with the Ambassador,
but, unless it turns out that there was some wrongdoing,
I see no reason to call him to account.
Thank you. Petra Marc from RTV has a question online.
Hello, can you hear me?
Can you hear me? -Yes, we can hear you.
Madame Minister, so you will not
call the Israeli ambassador to account,
but, if I understand correctly,
the Coalition does not see eye to eye
regarding the announcement of the broadcast of the recordings?
The Left declared it as propaganda,
while you see it as legal diplomatic activities
that are conducted by each country.
Does the event correspond to the work of a foreign embassy?
Do other countries usually hold such events?
Do you, in this case, share the opinion
of the Prime Minister's colleague Mr. Vojko Volk?
We are very much of one mind in the Coalition.
This morning we talked about the announced broadcast
and the embassy's activities.
We agreed that everything that has been going on so far
does not constitute any special reasons
to call the ambassador to account.
But if there were any improper practices in organising the event,
and diplomacy or Slovenian legislation were violated,
we will respond adequately.
Embassies have diplomatic activities and events that they can organise.
Mini Teater also hosts such events sometimes
per the embassies wishes or offers,
so there was nothing problematic about this event in itself,
but it is problematic that Mini Teater received threats
because of organising the event.
As I said, there is no place in our society for such intolerance.
Allow me to repeat myself,
the organisation of such events needs to be well thought out,
but, as I found from several sources,
the Israeli embassy is not the only one
that can collect or wishes to get certain data,
which they demanded from the visitors of the event.
Some other embassies also do this.
As long as an individual provides their data consensually,
it is not controversial, but again, if there were
any improper practices, we will respond adequately.
For now they do not seem to be.
Kaja Kobetič, Kanal A. I have a question
regarding the constitutional order on judges' salaries.
Your party stated that the Coalition
must find political will for a solution
and that you expect a conversation. Has this conversation happened yet?
Do you expect the government's position to change
and judges salaries to be considered separately?
And regarding your minister's purchase of the new courthouse,
6 million euros more were paid than the seller bought it for
and the Ministry did not order its own appraisal.
Your comment? Thank you.
I am not the right one to ask about the judges' salaries.
The Ministry of Public Administration is in charge of it.
Everything has been said.
We will deal with it as a part of the payment reform.
And about the purchase of the building.
The Minister explained they have
all the necessary documentation.
Everything was explained and I am not the person for these questions.
Studies have been made.
They have all the documents
and if nothing else went wrong, we do not need to talk about it.
Vitomir Petrović from Planet has a question as well.
He cannot raise his hand, so I am giving him the opportunity.
Do you have a question or not?
No. Yes or no?
Can we turn it on?
Can you hear me? -Yes. -Hello. Madam Minister,
as a former journalist, you have always been worried
about what was going on at the public TV.
How do you see the current state there?
Can you tell me, please?
I have always been worried if they could not work professionally
and without political interference.
As a politician, I will surely not interfere
in their work.
I want for them to have all the freedom
to make decisions. This is necessary
for them to provide the information professionally
and they have our support in this.
In the first place, this means we should not interfere in their work.
Thank you. This was the last question.
Thank you for today. -Goodbye.
Goodbye. Now, the Minister of Digital Transformation
Emilija Stojmenova Duh will present the proposal for the Act
to implement the EU Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services.
Go ahead. -Thank you. Hello.
We passed the proposal for the Act to implement the Regulation
on a Single Market for Digital Services
which is key to establishing a safe,
predictable and trustworthy Internet environment.
The Act sets the rules for intermediary services providers,
such as Internet service providers.
In Slovenia, these are Telekom, T-2, A1, Telemach and so on.
It also sets the rules for platforms like Facebook, X,
Instagram and so on,
and Internet markets such as Bolha.
I want to stress the Act does not apply to Internet media.
These will continue to be regulated with the Media Act.
The Act states that The Agency
for Communication Networks and Services
will be responsible to implement the Act. They will be
the coordinator of digital services.
The Agency will oversee whether the providers
are implementing the Act and they will give the status
of trustworthy informants that will be warning about illegal practices.
The Act will make it possible to remove
illegal content. I want to stress the Act defines
legal jurisdiction to remove the illegal content.
I would like to repeat that this doesn't apply to online media,
because there is another law for them, namely media law.
With the draft law Slovenia is responding to the need
to adjust the online environment,
whereby the safety and trust in digital services shall reinforce.
When the law was being prepared,
there were two public consultations last year,
where we listened to different interest groups.
In a public sitting between August and September
we saw the need for this law
and that we have to determine a jurisdiction
with removing the illegal content from the web.
All EU Member States have to adopt such a legislation
and ensure a safe and trustworthy online environment in Europe.
Thank you, Minister. Are there any questions?
On another topic? This one is also important.
No. Then it will be on another topic, Minister.
Hello. Kobetič, Kanal A.
One comment, please. KPK took a closer look at your purchase
of 13,000 laptops. How do you comment this?
I am looking forward to this inspection,
because it will show that procedures were implemented correctly
and legitimately. With the purchase we complied with legal obligations,
established in the amendment of the Digital Inclusion Act.
Are there any questions on the web? Vitomir Petrovič from Planet TV.
When can we expect that users will get these 13,000 computers?
Now they sit in a warehouse, which is probably not a good solution
for a digital literacy.
We also wish that target groups would get them as soon as possible.
We are responsible for ensuring the funds and purchasing the computers.
The allocation is a responsibility of the Public Scholarship Fund,
which is setting the procedures to distribute the computers.
Marjeta Bogataj, Demokracija. I have a follow-up question.
Can you tell us, where are these computers stored?
Has anybody received them yet?
And what was the reason to buy these 130,000 computers?
Thank you. First, I would like to correct you,
there aren't 130,000, but 13,000 computers.
Ten times less. What was our reason?
The Digital Inclusion Act, which was adopted by the Slovenian government
and the National Assembly. There, it is specified
that on January 1st 2024 we shall set a fund
for a free rental of computer equipment
and the Ministry of Digital Transformation
should provide the computers. This is our legal obligation.
These computers are in a warehouse.
I can't give you an address. You probably know, why not.
We have to protect the equipment.
With the address the location shall be public
and something illegal can happen.
And another one? -Did you give them to anybody?
The computers are distributed only in accordance with the law.
We gave 39 computers to communities that demonstrated the need.
At the time of the floods we adopted the Intervention law,
according to which computers shall be given to those, who need them.
Municipalities which demonstrated the interest received them
and they use them already. -39? -Exactly.
Thank you, Minister. There are no more questions.
Thank you for your presence. Have a nice day. Goodbye.
Likewise. Goodbye.