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'Inflation threatens Europe's political stability' – former Slovenian president
The Agenda
Europe;Slovenia
14:39

Former Slovenian President Danilo Turk says Europe's energy crisis will have political effects soon, as more people face rising bills. 

While raising concerns about inflation across the region, Turk said that many have been left in a "vulnerable situation" because of inflation across energy markets. 

He told CGTN's The Agenda with Stephen Cole: "We have seen the volatility in the energy markets which have raised the prices of energy very high and that will have an impact in the coming months, especially as the winter comes."

Turk says he also worries Europe's social stability will suffer due to the developing cost-of-living crisis. 

He continued: "And then I'm sure the question of social cohesion will also become much more serious in Europe because let us not forget, there are a number of people in Europe who do not have, you know, a strong economic base for handling such a situation.

"People who live from one day to another. They are not very visibly, you know, poor, but still there they are in a very vulnerable situation. And that is likely to have an impact in the coming months."

Turk also predicts the conflict is unlikely to end soon, saying: "Right now, it's difficult to see how the conflict will end because both sides have declared their commitment to what they consider to be victory. 

"So, you know, we are seeing the war of attrition. We'll see when the parties to the conflict become tired of conflict and will start seeking a negotiated solution for sure," he added. 

Seeking a way to end the conflict, Turk applauded China's past resolution strategies. "I would like to emphasize in particular the proposal which was made early in the conflict, on March 7, by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who gave a very comprehensive formula for dealing with the conflict.

"Not only a ceasefire, but also reviewing the security architecture of Europe. And I think that that continues to be valid – and in some ways expressed again by the most recent Italian proposal."

When offering his own solutions, Turk noted that the UN secretary generaI could play a key part. 

He said: "I think it would be useful to put together an international group, perhaps a group of friends of the UN secretary general who could then, when the time comes, produce proposals that can lead to not only ending of the war, but also to figuring out how to solve the political problems as well."

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