08/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - This week in Brussels, the Slovenian prime minister, Janez Jansa, who will be presiding over the European Council in the first half of 2008, met the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barosso, with whom he discussed the priorities of the future Slovenian presidency of the EU. Two subjects were at the top of the list of priorities: the continued integration process of the western Balkans (conclusion and implementation of stabilisation and association agreements with all countries in the region that are not yet official accession candidates: Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Montengro) and the ratification of the EU Reform Treaty, which will be signed on 13 December in Lisbon. The future Slovenian presidency also intends to place greater importance on implementation of the strengthened Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, energy policy and climate change (these three subjects will also be at the centre of the spring European Council in March 2008). Finally, the Slovenian presidency wants to evaluate the inter-cultural dialogue in 2008. After his meeting with Mr Jansa, Mr Barosso said: “I have every reason to believe that Slovenia will successfully assume this role”. (H.B.)