Euractiv.com with Reuters Est. 2min 13-08-2020 (updated: 13-01-2021 ) State Secretary Mike Pompeo signs 5G declaration with his Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar. In the centre is Slovenian PM Janez Jansa. [State Secretary Pompeo Twitter account] Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that by signing a 5G declaration on Thursday (14 August) Slovenia has secured protection against “authoritarian threats” including China’s effort “to control people and information.” “The tide is turning against the Chinese Communist Party in its efforts to restrict freedom for all of us,” Pompeo said in the town of Bled after a signing ceremony for the declaration on developing a secure 5G network. Proud to welcome Slovenia into the growing community of nations taking steps to secure their 5G networks, reflecting our common dedication to protecting privacy and the individual liberties of citizens. Our new MOU is evidence of Slovenia’s strong leadership on global security. pic.twitter.com/LzySbXNcyA — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 13, 2020 Speaking to the press, Pompeo said US President Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, who was born and raised in Slovenia, “had sent greetings.” Last month Telekom Slovenia began to roll out its 5G network and expects to have one-third of the country covered by the end of the year. Pompeo said another important topic in talks with Slovenian officials would be ensuring energy security by reducing the country’s dependence on Russia. “We spoke about the enormous potential of next generation nuclear technology to deliver clean, reliable diversified energy that will help ensure political independence and economic prosperity for Slovenia and the entire region,” he said. Slovenia is the only former Yugoslav republic to have a nuclear power plant. Pompeo visited Slovenia as part of a European tour this week. He is due to travel to Vienna later in the day, before he visits Poland on Saturday. Read more with Euractiv Thai PM appeals for unity amid almost daily protestsThai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha appealed for unity in a televised address to the nation on Thursday (13 August) amid almost daily student-led anti-government protests since mid-July.