On Wednesday 26 May, at a press conference with the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša listed the priorities of his country, which will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July.
“I am very happy to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. But the time ahead of us is going to be the time of recovery and of building greater resilience in case similar crises occur again”, he told the media after a videoconference meeting between the Slovenian government and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament political groups (CoP). He added that his country was determined to make this a priority during its six-month rotating Presidency, because the memories are still fresh and because it is easier to make progress under these conditions.
The upcoming Slovenian Presidency will also work on cyber resilience, so that the EU can protect itself against cyberattacks.
Another priority for Slovenia is the Conference on the Future of Europe. According to Mr Janša, this conference, which comes after a period of turbulence, be it the pandemic or the Brexit, must be truly open to all.
“This will also be the central theme of the Strategic Forum in Bled in early September”, the Prime Minister noted.
Mr Janša is also making the rule of law and the European way of life a priority of his country’s EU Council Presidency.
“The rule of law presupposes equal rules for all. In this context, some progress can be made in individual Member States and in the EU as a whole. Freedom of expression is an essential element of democratic processes and must not be restricted”, he warned, amid criticism of his country’s media policy (see EUROPE 12687/1).
The Prime Minister assured that his aim was to help Europe extend the area of freedom of high standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms to its neighbourhood. He added that his country intended to propose the creation of a constitutional law institute.
“In difficult situations, the EU seeks the advice of the Venice Commission, which is an institution of the Council of Europe. However, Slovenia believes that the EU needs its own institution”, he said.
Asked about the EU enlargement process, Mr Janša explained that his country would host an informal summit of Western Balkan leaders on 6 October. “If the enlargement process were higher on our strategic agenda, the EU would certainly be in a better position today”, he said.
He also stressed his country’s support for the accession of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area of free movement, adding that he did not understand why this had been impossible until now. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)