The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 July, unveiled its slogan on Friday 4 June—“Together. Resilient. Europe.”— as well as its logo. On the same day, it launched its website http://www.si2021.eu .
“The Slovenian Presidency will strive to actively contribute to strengthening the EU’s resilience to health, economic, energy, climate, and cyber crises. Working together, supporting each other, and acting in solidarity for the good of each and every European citizen will be key to strengthening the EU’s resilience. All this is incorporated in the slogan “Together. Resilient. Europe.”, the Slovenian authorities explain as the reason they chose this slogan.
This is Slovenia’s second Presidency after 2008. Its slogan at the time was “Si.nergy for Europe”.
In a statement, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, who led the country in 2008, said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it was necessary to look “further ahead, beyond the horizon”.
The Slovenian Presidency wants to build a “resilient and strategically autonomous” Europe. According to Mr Janša, this is only possible if Europe is united and its member countries respect the principle of solidarity.
Ljubljana will also focus on the Conference on the Future of Europe, which opened on 9 May (see EUROPE 12716/1). Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of European principles and values, as Mr Janša is criticised for his attacks on the media (see other news and EUROPE 12687/1).
Slovenia will also focus on a “Union of the European way of life, rule of law and equal criteria for all”, a Union based on respect for human dignity, which will protect human rights, “including freedom of speech, which is increasingly under threat”.
Finally, Mr Janša called for a “credible and secure EU, which is capable of providing stability and security, particularly in its neighbourhood”, citing in particular the organisation of an EU-Western Balkans summit or the deepening of cooperation with NATO.
The logo of the Presidency symbolises the link between Slovenia and the EU, with a ribbon in the colours of the Slovenian flag (red, blue, white) and in the shape of Mount Triglav, the country’s national symbol, topped by seven golden stars reminiscent of the European flag.
The number of stars was not chosen at random, but represents the seventh stanza of France Prešeren’s poem, A Toast (Zdravljica), which is the Slovenian anthem. “The lyrics of the anthem call for dialogue and an open society, supporting the idea of integration and peaceful coexistence of all nations”, says the Slovenian Presidency. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)