During the recent visit of Stéphane Séjourné, president of the Renew Europe political group, who came to Ljubljana at the invitation of MEPs Irena Joveva, Klemen Grošelj and the LMŠ party, most of the attention was directed at the current political situation and the upcoming elections, both in Slovenia and in some other European countries.

Stephane Séjourné is concerned about what is happening in Slovenia and in Europe, and Irena Joveva agrees with him. The methods, positions and actions of the 19^th century have no place in 2022. “The future cannot be someone who is stuck in the past. In days gone by. The future cannot be someone who sees everything and everyone as enemies. If there are none, they will make some (up), because they simply cannot function otherwise. The future is nations freely choosing their own destiny, and no, I am not just talking about the people of Ukraine,” she said.

She expects the European Union to be united, to stick to values such as democracy, the rule of law, a free and critical media and, of course, peace.

“No one is eternal. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind if the Russian president, who has ruled for 20 years and is even bombing civilians, were swept away by a democratic wave,” said Joveva on a critical note.

Marjan Šarec also believes that politics that glorifies the past, stirs up hatred and deepens differences is dangerous:

“Extremism should always be feared. It never solves anything. It offers seemingly quick and effective solutions, but once all that collapses, it is the moderates who have to save a country, humanity and the economy. That is why we need to say ‘no’ to the politics of extremism and enter the 21^st century. Who cares in their daily lives what anyone did in 1945, 1960 or 1998? We need to move on.”

You can also read the text in the Gorenjski Glas newspaper on this LINK.

“We would go there for a couple of days to check things out. Two, three days.”

This was the plan in September 2015. And so I went. To Salzburg. I actually believed that I would be back in two, maybe three, OK, maximum four days. But before we set off, the cameraman asked me nicely if I was sure that I only wished to take one mini travel bag with me. It wasn’t even a real a travel bag, just a slightly bigger bag. “Sure, we’re only going for three days,” I replied.

And … the photo above was taken shortly before we arrived home. Where I returned ten days later weighing seven kilos less. And not for long, because I soon left for another assignment; this time we only stayed in Salzburg one day and then set off to somewhere else. To the heart of where a humanitarian crisis was about to unfold. To the south.

I really did not imagine the chaos that would ensue. Nobody did. Unfortunately, neither did the people in charge.

I vividly remember the assignment in Tovarnik, a Croatian town right on the border with Serbia. It was terribly hot. And terribly exhausting, although I didn’t realise it at first, because the adrenaline somehow did not allow it. We had breaking news, spread over the whole day, day in, day out. I had to report live – in journalistic jargon you say that you’re on – so, I was on again and again.

Just before one of these live reports, an elderly gentleman came up to me. He started shouting and I didn’t understand. The more I told him that we would talk as soon as I finished the live report that was due in half a minute, the more he shouted back. Not at me. He was shouting at the camera. His daughter and sons were calming him down, I did the report … and then I simply collapsed to the ground. This time the adrenaline didn’t help; all that pressure suddenly caught up with me. Watching tens of thousands of people fleeing war or danger every day, hoping and wishing for a better, safer, brighter future. No, it was not just young men. Among them were very many children and women. But yes, they were not light-skinned. I’ll explain this last sentence later.

To cut a long story short, it took me a while to pull myself together. Even the cameraman left me alone at first, probably a bit shocked, but then came to calm me down. The same people who had previously been calming down their father also came to comfort me – and explained that he was just loudly asking for help. Can you imagine? People with problems beyond our comprehension, who had gone through horrible things, were experiencing uncertainty and agony were comforting ME. I still feel embarrassed when I think of those moments when, in the end, we were all crying and laughing at the same time. But I will never regret that I was there. At that precise time.

“It’s terrible when people who are completely exhausted ask you where to go, how to get there … You don’t know how to help them. It’s horrible.” This was my tweet on 17 September 2015. After a devastated women asked me what she should do. I remember it vividly …

I also vividly remember one evening programme during which the then Minister of the Interior was in the studio in Ljubljana. She was explaining in a confident manner how well prepared Slovenia was, as one of the refugees, responding to my question about where they were heading to, exclaimed: “Slovenia!” This was the first time that somebody mentioned our country (until then, the reply that journalists got had practically always been “Germany!”). And this is when it all started. And nobody was really prepared for everything that happened and continued to happen months later.

The rest is history.

History repeats itself, but with one very important difference: this time, the EU reacted quickly. And it reacted as it should. Finally! We have shown that it can be done. Why wasn’t this the case in 2015?

Because some parties and governments used the developments then to spread hatred. Because “Ukrainian refugees come from a background that is culturally, religiously and historically very different from that of refugees from Afghanistan”. This was the tweet of the current Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Which was later deleted. That it was not a distinction based on “religion, race, colour of skin or eyes”, but a “very necessary distinction between refugees and migrants”, the Prime Minister explained.

Refugees and migrants are not one and the same, I absolutely agree. But please read the deleted tweet again. It says refugees. And then refugees again. Not migrants. Refugees. A very necessary distinction, right? Or racism (and other things)?

As a result of such self-serving spin, manipulation and exploitation of humanitarian disasters, the EU still did not have an adequate mechanism in place in 2015 to deal with migration. Nor is one in place today.

But it would be unfair to say that absolutely nothing has been done over the last six years. In the previous mandate, the European Commission did start to develop a common European model to tackle a migrant humanitarian crisis. I am referring to the European Agenda on Migration, which contains several legislative proposals and reforms of the migration and asylum policy. Unfortunately, not all of the proposed measures have been adopted. Most of the key ones were stalled, blocked. Why?

Before I offer an answer, let me say that also in its current composition, the European Commission has set a common migration and asylum policy as its priority. Nor has the issue been forgotten by the European Parliament, where a number of resolutions were adopted, and I myself have repeatedly and vociferously pointed out the existing shortcomings. Not only in terms of ineffective migration management, but also in terms of inhuman conditions and the brutal treatment of refugees by uniformed service representatives. In September 2020, the European Commission finally presented a Pact on Migration and Asylum. But it has yet to garner consensus. Again: why?

It is not the European Commission that is the main problem. Even less so the European Parliament – and I am really not saying that because I am a member of this institution. The problem is the leaders of some Member States who do not wish to understand the international system of shared responsibility for managing situations extending beyond national borders. The problem is that, more and more often, we are witnessing accelerated expansion of national interests and, above all, of national egoisms. If you ask me, these have no place in the EU.

Will perhaps the proposed legislative package for the EU’s migration policy be adopted at the level of ALL Member States this time? Are we dealing with the right type of refugees this time?

Let us be clear. What is happening in Ukraine is … a crime. It’s monstrous. Inhuman. Disgusting. I fully and unwaveringly support help to Ukrainians. It is the only right thing to do. It is only right that the EU should take in as many refugees as the situation requires. This is our moral and international legal obligation. ALWAYS.

Whichever way someone – a refugee, a migrant, a displaced person – a HUMAN – arrives at the EU’s external border or in the EU … No one has the right to deprive them of their fundamental rights.

Nor do we have the right to forget. Remember the dead Syrian boy on the Turkish coast? Red shirt, blue trousers? Did he drown too far away? Do you then remember the dead ten-year-old Rahima? She drowned in the Dragonja.

Therefore. In this context. The context of humanity:

We. Don’t have. The right. To forget.

We. Don’t have. The right. To moralise.

We. Don’t have. The right. To manipulate.

WE. DON’T HAVE. THE RIGHT. TO DISCRIMINATE.

It was early January, I had just finished an evening tennis game when, to my surprise, I got a video call from Irena, a Member of the European Parliament, and Jasna, her local assistant: “Žiga, welcome to Team Joveva”.

And my first thought was: “Do MEPs ever take a break?”

My first day in Brussels. Assistant Žana meets me in front of the European Parliament, because I certainly couldn’t have found the entrance to Parliament, which is a real labyrinth. After wandering through it for about ten minutes, we finally reach the office. It is spacious and modern, the conditions are ideal; this really is a good place to work and a place to do good work, I think to myself. On my desk, I am surprised by a pile of gifts and a welcome message – I already feel at home!

Well, not so fast, Žiga. I received a calendar of events, meetings, appointments and was in charge of the first “briefing”… Oops, this is a bit different from what I imagined. Lots of institutional jargon, unfamiliar acronyms, “political” speak – i.e. using figurative language, referring to older projects I had never heard of before. Reality gave me a much-needed slap in the face.

The Parliament has a convenient canteen where I usually went for lunch with other assistants or trainees from other political groups or countries. They smilingly confirmed to me that I was not the only one at sixes and sevens, to say the least. One of the Slovenian assistants candidly admitted that he had been in the Parliament for two years and still hadn’t managed to put all the pieces of the European institutional politics together, and in all likelihood never would. The European Parliament truly is complex, and it is precisely this complexity that gives it the special charm that is difficult to put into words.

Many people ask me what I will remember most.

Certainly the young, diverse, but nevertheless incredibly coordinated and above all interesting team of Irena’s assistants. Rok. One of the smartest people I have ever met, a walking encyclopaedia. Elma. A polyglot with superb networking skills (in my humble estimate she knows 90% of the EP), the epitome of kindness, and a heart as big as Mount Triglav. Žana. Slightly quieter in nature, but you know the proverb that still waters run deep. On a number of occasions, she had regulations, directives and acts that were all Greek to me right at her fingertips.

Furthermore, I could finally shake off the stereotypical prejudice that all politicians are corrupt, that all they do is talk and, above all, that they get nothing done. Really the vast majority of MEPs (and other staff in the EU institutions) are big-hearted, work late into the night and bring about gigantic shifts which, unfortunately, are not recognised and appreciated enough by Slovenian politicians, the media and, consequently, the people.

For all of you who are still to embark on a similar journey, the journey of a trainee in the European institutions, here is some useful and honest advice:

• Don’t hesitate to ask. Nobody knows everything. There are no stupid questions, just don’t be ashamed.
• Be proactive. Never miss an opportunity to attend meetings, conferences and work-related events. It’s a great way to learn about the culture and to network.
• Build a strong network. A traineeship is an excellent opportunity to meet people and build a strong network that will definitely prove useful in the future. Participate in conferences, have the occasional coffee with colleagues or other trainees, enjoy activities outside work with complete strangers (who can later become great friends) or simply try to find the right connections with whom you can talk about projects that interest you.

The most important advice: Step outside your comfort zone, relax and enjoy the ride.

I’m sitting on the plane thinking – as probably all trainees do on their way home from the capital of Europe: “What next?”

 

– Žiga Papež

For three years now, MEP Irena Joveva, elected on the LMŠ list, has been working in Brussels in a determined and successful manner, co-shaping policies for the future, such as those pertaining to the green transition and youth issues.

You live in Ljubljana, work in Brussels and Strasbourg, and you come from Jesenice. How often do you return to Gorenjska?

I go home whenever I can. But it’s true that I cannot visit very often anymore, because unfortunately, with working from home and taking care of my baby girl, I run out of time. But Jesenice will always be my home town; this is where I grew up and I have many fond memories of Gorenjska in general. Many people say that Jesenice is grey and dreary, but neither is true. Jesenice is beautiful … and red (laughs). All joking aside, the ironworks is no longer the only thing worth a mention in Jesenice, and the locals are aware of the importance of a clean environment and green solutions. To me, Gorenjska is the most beautiful part of Slovenia, and it’s not right that all the attention is always focused on – no offence – Kranjska Gora, Bled and Bohinj … All other places in between are just as splendid, we just have to take care of them the way they deserve.

Green policy is becoming an increasingly important topic in the European Parliament. In fact, the green transition has been greatly accelerated by the pandemic.

In fact, green policy is already the most important topic. As we speak, the Committee on the Environment, of which I am a member, is deliberating on 14 legislative dossiers with far-reaching effects. Last March, we adopted legislation on emission reduction and on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We need to achieve this ambitious plan, because the status quo is simply not sustainable. But such a green transition will not come cheap. That is why we are sticking to the principle that the cost should be borne by those who pollute the most and that the population should not be affected by these measures. Substantial funds have already been made available and there will be even more, and as Slovenians, we need to make sure that they are invested wisely.

Nowadays, all avenues are open to young people, nothing is holding them back anymore. You work a lot on youth policies. How can we keep promising young people in Slovenia?

To me, young people having all avenues open a positive thing. It is right that they should use their potential and create the life they want for themselves. This is not to deny, of course, the problem of youth emigration, which is observed throughout the EU. But it is crucial that national and European policies are geared towards creating good conditions for young people –what I particularly have in mind is addressing housing issues, ensuring quality jobs and good conditions for young families, in short, mechanisms that will provide the conditions for young people to achieve their goals and aspirations in their home country.

Marjan Šarec: “Sustainability is becoming our everyday reality”

It is no secret that the Upper Sava Valley is one of the leading tourist destinations in Slovenia. I have no doubt that you will continue to be able to use your natural assets to shape sustainable tourism, and in this way become an example not only in Slovenia, but globally. The key to all this is cooperation between all stakeholders, and it will be just as important to successfully compete for European grants. The word ‘sustainable’ is becoming part of our everyday language. And in this sense, the citizens of Kranjska Gora and its surroundings have a golden opportunity.

Considering everything mentioned thus far, it is of the utmost importance to increase the capacities of the Jesenice hospital with the help of the state. Just as we supported the idea of regional hospitals and the preservation of a general hospital in the Jesenice area during our government, we support it now and will continue to do so in the future. Let us not forget the fact that during the epidemic, the hospital in Jesenice was one of the busiest in the country, which is why I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the employees of Jesenice General Hospital for their dedicated, selfless and hard work.

You can also read the interview in the newsletter of the Kranjska Gora municipality, Zgornjesav’c, by clicking HERE.

On Monday, 28 February 2022, MEP Irena Joveva was invited by ALDE, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, to participate in a panel on media freedom in the EU. She based her contribution to the debate on the current situation in Ukraine, which she linked to some EU countries, and described some upcoming legislative proposals in this area.

MEP Joveva’s basic thesis was that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is possible mainly because the public and private media, or their editorial policy, are an extension of the Kremlin, as they follow its instructions and adapt their reporting to fit the government’s narrative, even if keeping to that narrative is absurd:

“Russian propaganda is telling its people that Russia is merely conducting a military operation in Ukraine because it is trying to topple the Nazis who are depriving the Ukrainian people of their freedom.”

According to Joveva, this is a clear example of how media freedom is important and essential, and above all not a given. She said that in the information age of social networks such a presentation of alternative facts will not be possible for long, and she praised the courage of all the journalists and correspondents who are willing to take risks in order to provide us with all the information from the ground.

In Russia, these elements can be observed in their extreme, but they are also manifesting themselves in a milder form in some EU countries, she said, explaining that she was referring in particular to Poland and Hungary, where the governments have already managed to completely subjugate the public media – just as the Janez Janša Government is trying to do now.

In extreme cases, such populist and authoritarian tendencies lead to murders of investigative journalists, even on EU soil, simply because they investigate and report on corruption. Joveva also mentioned other methods, although less aggressive, but which are still extremely harmful to media freedom, such as budget cuts, suspension of funding, funding cuts, journalist discreditations, strategic lawsuits, selling private media to pro-government oligarchs, etc.

Joveva then outlined some of the legislative proposals: “The most important is the European Media Freedom Act, which should exclude the media sector from the current competition law and give it the special place it deserves. This would allow the European Commission to block controversial takeovers of some media outlets, such as the Polish attempt of a forced sale of TVN24 to the state-owned oil company, or the concentration of Hungarian capital close to Orban in Slovenia, which has become even more pronounced in recent years.”

The next step, she said, should be to harmonise national legislation in the field of public service media, which would prevent politicians in power from exerting influence on public services. Another important piece of legislation is the so-called anti-SLAPP Directive, which would allow for a judicial mechanism for the dismissal of court proceedings in those cases that would be identified as strategic lawsuits against public participation. These practices are becoming more and more frequent, but their only goal is to silence journalists, as such lawsuits try to exhaust them so that they no longer report on corruption or abuse of public office.

All this – alongside the implementation of the Copyright Directive and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive – should benefit the media in Europe. But some challenges remain, cautioned Joveva, concluding her address by saying:

“But it is important to bear in mind what the experience in Russia is reminding us once again … that free and critical media are essential for the accountability of the authorities to the people, for democracy and, ultimately, for peace.”

A recording of the event can be viewed HERE.