Slovenian PM renews archive demand

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša has renewed a long-standing request that Serbia disclose secret archives from the former Yugoslavia, specifically those related to Slovenia. The call comes after the recent victory of the Student List, a political party in Serbia, which has shifted the country's political landscape.

Focus on EU accession and conditions

Janša mentioned that while Slovenia would welcome Serbia's efforts to join the European Union, any progress would be contingent on Serbia handing over all relevant archives. These include documents from the Civil Police (UDBa), the State Security Services (SDB), and other former Yugoslav institutions.

Historical context of the demand

This demand has been consistently raised by conservative governments in Slovenia, led by the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS). It is rooted in the succession agreement from 2004, which outlined the division of former Yugoslav assets and responsibilities among successor states.

Contrast with previous governance

According to Janša, previous left-wing governments in Slovenia may have been less inclined to push for the archives' release. He suggested that those governments might have preferred to keep the archives in Serbia rather than demand their disclosure.