At the 15th Bled Strategic Forum taking place on Monday, participants have discussed issues such as the EU s future, the coronavirus, neighbourhood policy and global issues. Meanwhile, bilateral talks are also being held.

Slovenia is hosting the 15th Bled Strategic Forum attended in person by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Serb President Aleksandar Vucic, Czech Premier Andrej Babis, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Slovenian Premier Janez Jansa, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic  and Bulgarian Premier Boyko Borisov.

The forum was also joined by Italian PM Giuseppe Conte, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, via video link. Participants discussed neigbourhood policy and global issues, but bilateral talks are also being held.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban told the forum on Monday that Europe is in trouble, because it has still not managed to define its new place in the global economy. The continent has still not defined itself in the world, therefore it remains unable to play such a key role as the United States or China.

The Hungarian premier has described solidarity as a joint success, adding however that „we cannot be successful together if we are not successful on our own.” Viktor Orban said the keys to the European Union s future success were its capacity to build up a joint military, the accession of Serbia to the bloc and the creation of a competitive economy spearheaded by Central Europe.

Speaking at the forum, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki underlined that the bloc needed a joint vision and understanding between the parties. He said there are no uniform solutions that could be applied to each and every problem.

Regarding the EU response to the pandemic, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis stressed that further measures are needed, as the defence is way too slow. He said he was puzzled as to why the epidemiologists do not consult each other before measures are taken.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov also talked about the pandemic. He said the world and the notion of solidarity have failed in terms of the coronavirus pandemic, and people were not prepared for the disease.

Thomas Bach, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, also talked about solidarity. He said everyone is currently living in a state of uncertainty, pointing out why the Bled Forum is taking place at an important time. More solidarity is needed between societies, Bach stressed.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, spoke about the need to honestly admit the shorcomings of global integration as it is the only way to make progress in the future.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa tweeted: „Long term we need to fulfil the vision of founding fathers of EU. Short term – winter is coming and the main concern is how to keep our people safe and how to prepare best for the next epidemic.”

Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic believes: „We are on a path to the EU but we see many difficulties. We will do our best to make ourselves better but expect more respect from the EU as well.”

Speaking in Bled, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic stressed that people have learned during the coronavirus-induced crisis that there s a need to act together. He emphasized that the EU must offer solutions, be a leader and strengthen internal cohesion.

According to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, the European Union is a success story, not an elitist utopia.