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Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar stated at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that cutting off dialogue with Russia was one of the EU's biggest mistakes.
She argued that diplomacy requires speaking with the other side even when the aggressor is known, while also declaring that "a genocide is taking place in Gaza" and calling for the abolition of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) veto.
Musar said Europe had made a fundamental diplomatic error in its approach to the Ukraine war.
"One of the biggest mistakes the EU made was cutting off dialogue with Russia. We know who the aggressor is and we support Ukraine, but diplomacy requires speaking with the other side as well," she said.
She added that Europe had lacked unity in recent years, which posed a problem for the EU's international standing.
She noted the bloc was approximately 90% united on the Russia-Ukraine war but sharply divided on Israel-Palestine, and that on Iran "it is extremely difficult for member states to speak with one voice."
"If we continue this way, we can no longer be a political superpower. This is the serious problem the EU is genuinely facing," she said.
Musar was unequivocal on Gaza, departing from the mainstream EU position.
"Some of my colleagues in the EU may not agree with me, but I will say it: a genocide is taking place in Gaza. I see it. I know the definition of genocide. That is why I keep repeating it," she said.
She noted Slovenia had been one of the first EU member states to recognize Palestine, and said she stood by her country's positions on the issue.
She drew on Slovenia's experience during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, when more than 70,000 Bosnian refugees came to a country of 2.1 million people.
"We witnessed the horror of war and genocide up close. I believe this is why we feel such strong solidarity with peoples experiencing similar suffering," she noted.
Musar called for abolition of the UNSC veto, saying it was incompatible with the body's mission.
"On this planet, I am not the only statesperson saying the veto must be abolished. It is an obstacle to peace and security in the United Nations. Five permanent members were given the responsibility of protecting security and peace on this planet. Are they doing their job? I don't need to answer that," she stated.
She said the world was in a period where human life was not being respected, with approximately 400 political leaders making decisions on behalf of 8 billion people, while international law was being increasingly eroded.
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