Special dossier on the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union
by Fathi B'Chir
Contents
Slovenia - the star pupil turned President
Presidency to focus on the Balkans
Slovenia Today
Facts and Figures
Interview with Igor Sencar
Important meetings under the Slovenian
Slovenians in Brussels - a village forms and grows
Slovenians in the Institutions
Useful Information
SLOVENIA - 'STAR PUPIL' BECOMES PRESIDENT
Slovenia will be taking over the Presidency of the EU for six months from 1 January 2008. It stands out in various respects: lt is one of the one of the smallest EU member states (20,173 km²) but has nearly 10 times the surface area of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and 64 time that of Malta. Relatively low density of population (99.1 inhabitants per km²), more than half of Slovenia is forest.
The first country to gain independence, in 1991, from the Former Yugoslavia.
First new member state to join the euro, on 1 January 2007.
On 1 January 2008, it will become the first EU member state to take over the Presidency of the EU.
This gives an indication of the determination with which the government has been preparing its Presidency for more than a year now. Slovenia's Presidency will focus in particular on relations with the Balkans and other issues from the programme agreed with the two preceding Presidencies, Germany and Portugal.
There is every reason to believe, however, that Ljubljana will have to deal with other burning issues in the pipeline:
managing on behalf of the EU the diplomatic fallout and probably also the security and defence fallout of Kosovo's potential declaration of independence.
Mediterranean policy may also be covered by Slovenia, which will have the delicate task of fostering convergence over the French idea of a Mediterranean Union (MU). In preparing for its Presidency, Slovenia has drawn on the example of Luxembourg's expertise as a small country in the EU. The Czech Republic has made an official request to observe Slovenia's experience in order to start preparing for its own Presidency at the start of 2009. Faced with such momentous tasks, Ljubljana may be relieved of some of the political and media pressure which is already focussing on the following French Presidency, seasoned in such matters, but this would run the risk of looking like a mere stop-gap presidency.
The results of the Slovenian Presidency will no doubt have an impact on the upcoming elections in October 2008. But on 19 December 2007, Slovenian prime minister Janez Janša launched a call for unity, a political ceasefire so the country can focus on its role as leader in Europe for the first time in its history.
PRESIDENCY TO FOCUS ON THE BALKANS
Ljubljana is taking its job seriously and has been preparing for its Presidency for more than a year now. At stake is not only the country's image, as one of the most deserving in terms of European integration efforts, but also the burden that will be placed on its civil service, 10% of whose staff will be working on the Presidency. The Slovenian Permanent Representation Office to the EU in Brussels has already doubled its staff to nearly 150. There is also a diplomatic challenge because Slovenia does not have an embassy in all the places in the world where an EU presence is required and therefore another member state, usually the following Presidency (France), will stand in.
The mission has been somewhat facilitated by the establishment of a common programme at the end of 2006 with Germany and Portugal in order to work together over an 18 month period with each country focussing on one or more priority issues - review of the EU Treaty for Germany and Africa for Portugal. France has announced that it has been working with Slovenia for several weeks now to ensure the best meshing of their presidencies and action priorities.
Slovenia is focussing on a limited number of ambitions, however. It is proposing four main priorities, namely enlargement, Europe in the future, the Lisbon Strategy, energy policy and climate change.
Enlargement: Prioritising the Balkans states joining the EU. The Slovenian prime minister recently added the continuation of talks with Turkey.
Europe of the future: Work will concentrate on a smooth Treaty ratification process.
The Lisbon Strategy: Prioritising implementation of the Lisbon Strategy for growth and employment,
including energy policy and climate change.
Inter-cultural dialogue: Slovenia will make the most of 2008 as the Year of Inter-Cultural Dialogue to organise events with European civil society in the EU and the Balkans.
Slovenia is planning to focus on the future of relations with the Western Balkans with the prospect of joining the EU, a stage in the process of joining the EU which is contingent upon accelerating the reform process and moving closer to EU rules. Slovenia will be calling for a helping hand, certain that the prospect of being able to join the EU will be a key lever in itself. It will be calling for the promotion of 'Euroregions' like the Adriatic and Trieste. Slovenia's interest in the Western Balkans, particularly in terms of security, will be visible both as a member of the EU and as a member of NATO. The country is in dispute with Croatia over several issues, but Janša's government does not want to be seen as being an obstacle to Croatia drawing closer to the EU, and has similar concerns about relations with Serbia against the backdrop of the Kosovo question.
Slovenia would like to ensure that its membership of the EU does not lead to any distancing from its Balkans neighbours, particularly in terms of trade. The Slovenian government points out that joining the EU has led to a fall in Slovenian exports to the markets of the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia does not want its recent membership of Schengen to form an obstacle to crossing the border (the visa system for inhabitants of the Balkans).
The Mediterranean will not be one of the Slovenian priorities, according to an official Slovenian source, pointing out France's pledge for a 'Mediterranean Union'. Ljubljana looks on the idea in the same way as most other member states, politely welcoming the idea while awaiting further details. It will not be able to avoid the issue, however, because it will have to speak on behalf of the EU at a likely summit of Mediterranean countries that Nicolas Sarkozy is planning to hold in Paris on 13 July 2008. Particularly in the run-up to the summit, the Presidency will not be able to avoid the responsibility of dealing with potential controversy surrounding participation by non-EU countries in the summit.
Interest in EuroMed cooperation is starting to emerge as one of the central issues in European current affairs. The sharp debates surrounding the pros and cons of the mooted MU may lead the EU and its partner countries to discuss all the current approaches, with their varying levels of success (the Barcelona Process, the EU's Neighbourhood Policy, Association Agreements and the newly announced deeper relations, funded by the EU, with the Arab League, the Union du Maghreb Arabe and the Agadir Agreement). Slovenia would therefore be forced to coordinate and try to regulate debate within the EU on the rationalising of relations with the Mediterranean area which are currently complicated by the raft of different bodies. Recent discussions at the European Parliament also highlighted the trend to unravel the connection in the EU's Neighbourhood Policy - described as artificial because designed through purely budgetary concerns - between East European countries (the Ukraine, Belarus, etc.) and Mediterranean countries. Not to mention that Slovenia is one of the ten EU member states on the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Black Sea (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria) which have been involved in a special negotiation process since 2005. At the last meeting in Koper, Slovenia, on 5 and 6 July, Slovenia unveiled a big EuroMed university package which it hopes will be backed by this group of Southern member states (see EUROPE of 9/7/2007).
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SLOVENIA TODAY
Slovenia is kicking off its six months Presidency with healthy figures indicating robust economic growth of 6% in 2007 and a public deficit reduced to 0.7% by the end of 2007, and one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the EU, 6% in 2006 and 4.9% at the end of 2007. Slovenia's exports are dynamic although its share of overall EU trade has fallen to around 1.4%. Slovenia's weak point is inflation.
Slovenia's economy has taken off since 1991, particularly trade with Germany, Austria and Italy, making it one of the most prosperous transition economies. Its GDP is close to the EU average (82%). It is now 16th in the league of best performing EU economies.
At the end of the second quarter of 2007, Slovenia's economy grew by 6.5% compared with the same period of 2006, but this is expected to fall off. The downward trend is expected to be confirmed in 2008 with the European Commission forecasting growth of 4.6% next year. Growth will reach around 4% in 2009, suggesting the end of the period of euphoria generated by the introduction of the euro, which somewhat camouflaged the negative impact of the sharp rise in consumer prices. Brussels comments that its recommendations have been followed and the country seems to have made considerable progress in implementing its National Reform Programme (NRP) for 2005-2007. Efforts are still required in knowledge-related domains, the business environment, employment and energy. Slovenia is urged to ensure continuation of the stimulus provided by the prospect firstly of joining the EU (May 2004) and then the euro (1 January 2007). The introduction of the single currency in Slovenia was described by the Commission in May 2007 as a 'real success,' adding that 'the changeover from the tolar to the euro was achieved rapidly and smoothly,' noting that there were already certain favourable conditions in the country. Thanks above all to meticulous and timely preparations, a smooth transition to the single currency was achieved, which the Commission would go on to use as a textbook case for the effectiveness of the big bang solution (transition in a fortnight in Slovenia's case where cash machines stopped issuing the old currency after 5 January 2007). Also, Slovenians were already used to the euro, which was already in use in Slovenia's neighbours, Italy and Austria.
The most controversial consequence was the rise in consumer prices, although the Commission said in May 2007 that the level of prices in December 2006 and January 2007 had since fallen due to seasonal corrections, adding that there had also been a slight relative fall in energy prices at that point in time. The general view is that inflation is the weak link in the Slovenian economy. Consumer price inflation stood at 3.5% on average at the end of 2007 compared with 2.5% in 2006. The Commission is expecting inflation to continue to rise in 2008 to around 3.7% and stabilise in 2009. The inflationary trend remains contingent on energy prices and imported food.
Overall, the country is one of the EU star pupils with a public deficit falling to 1.4% in 2006 and forecast to drop to 0.7% at the end of 2007. Slovenia has one of the lowest public debts in the eurozone (27.8% of GDP), and this is expected to continue over the next few years. It will, however, have to deal with rising pay pressure.
Slovenia's exports are doing well. In 2006, its exports were the equivalent of 65% of GDP, reaching €18.52 bn compared with €13.15 bn in 2004, the year when Slovenia joined the EU. Forecasts suggest, however, that lack-lustre performance in the eurozone, along with the fact that industry has probably reached its production capacity, will lead to a fall in exports over the longer term. 2007 is expected to confirm the trend of export growth in goods and services, particularly the first two quarters of the year. Use of the euro has generated a favourable external environment and led to an increase in production and export capacities for car components. The improvement in foreign sales is expected to be absorbed by a parallel rise in imports following high demand for production and consumer goods inputs. Such imports cost Slovenia €19.20 billion in 2006; compared with €14.28 bn in 2004. The trade deficit is expected to worsen to 4.9% of GDP in 2006, compared with an average of 3.7% to 3.9% in the previous years. These figures will be closely monitored because Slovenia is considered highly vulnerable to rises in energy prices.
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FACTS AND FIGURES
President of Slovenia
Danilo Türk, (centre left) elected on 11 November 2007. A largely ceremonial post with a five year term of office
Prime Minister
Janez Janša. His government answers to parliament. It has been managing the country's politics since 2004
Foreign Minister:
Dimitrij Rupel
Slovenia has been a parliamentary republic: since 25 June 1991.
National Assembly: of 90 parliamentarians elected for 4 years.
Next elections, autumn 2008.
National Council of interest groups.
National Day: 25 June
Joined
- the EU on: 1/5/2004
- Joined the Council of Europe on 14/5/93
- Joined NATO on 29/3/2004
- Joined the UN on 22/5/1992
Population: 2 million inhabitants
Capital: Ljubljana 330,000 inhabitants
Surface Area: 20,000 km2
Official Language: Slovenian. A common language since the sixteenth century and a foundation of the nation, it became an official language with the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918. The first university was founded in 1919 and the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Science in 1938.
Population growth (2004): 0.01% (natural growth decreasing by 0.03% a year). Ageing population. Low birth rate (1.26). Life expectancy: Women 81 years and men 74 years. One of the lowest retirement ages in Europe, increased in January 2000 to 63 for men and 81 for women
Literacy (2002): 99.7%
Religions: Catholicism (58%), Islam (2.5%), Orthodox Christians (2.5%), Protestants (1%)
Borders of 1370 km with Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. Slovenia has a short coastline on the Adriatic. It is in dispute with Croatia over the coastline.
Slovenia is a service economy, based on telecoms, financial services and tourism. Before joining the EU, Slovenia's economy was characterised by a sharp growth in the tertiary sector, which contributed 63.4% of the country's GDP in 2005. Industry contributed 28.2%. Agriculture shrank, contributing only 2.5% to GDP in 2005 (compared with 4.2% in 1995).
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Igor Sencar, Ambassador, Slovenia's Permanent Representative to the EU
'We are confident that we can be successful on the practical level during our EU Council Presidency.'
A 42-year old career diplomat, Igor Sencar's career has focussed on European affairs as former under-secretary and former head of cabinet for the prime minister. In Brussels, he represented Slovenia at COPS. Igor Sencar was appointed Permanent Representative to the EU in August 2005.Agence Europe interviewed the Permanent Representative ahead of the Slovenian Presidency.
Agence Europe: Slovenia seems to have been preparing itself for the Presidency for a long time. The Presidency alone is a challenge to take on, let alone the dossiers to be covered. What do you see as the main issue and challenge?
Igor Sencar: It is hard to point out any one specific issue or challenge at this stage; as you rightly point out many dossiers will land on our table when we take over the EU Council Presidency next month.
Perhaps these days one of the most visible issues is the situation in the Western Balkans, and the question of the future status of Kosovo in particular. This will definitely feature prominently in our work in the upcoming months. Our task will be mainly to facilitate a consensus within the EU and beyond on this issue, so that all of us stay true to our responsibilities to Kosovo and to the region.
Among our other priorities will also be the energy and climate package where we hope to make a step forward next year, as well as the launch of the new three-year Lisbon cycle.
There is also the necessary preparatory work to be done so as to ensure the full functioning of the Treaty as soon as it enters into force. But like I said, this is only a handful of the challenges ahead of us, as it looks like it will be a busy six months indeed.
A.E.: You have experienced three Presidencies working together - has it been a success? What do you see as the main lesson?
I.S.: The European Union is and has always been a work in process. With so many voices that need to be heard and so many challenges ahead of it, the only way to guarantee its smooth operation is to make sure that there is structure and continuity in its running. This is largely what led to the creation of the Trio Presidency system. In a way, the Trio system only formalized and reinforced the cooperation that the presidency countries have always carried out in practice. In our experience it has allowed for even better policy coordination with our Presidency partners, Germany and Portugal. So the trio system was definitely very useful in practical terms. It also has given the work of the EU more transparency.
A.E.: Are you also involved in organised contact with France and the Czech Republic?
I.S.: Of course. Like I said, the Member States holding the EU Council Presidency have always been in contact with one another to guarantee a smooth transition at the helm of the Union. Since France is taking over the Presidency from us, we have of course been in close contact with our French counterparts. We are also in contact with our colleagues in the Czech Republic who are going to be in a similar situation as we are now and are curious to see how we are preparing. The cooperation with both France and the Czech Republic is thus very fruitful, both in the political field as well as in terms of the more practical aspects of our work.
A.E. Are Slovenes happy in the European institutions? In your opinion, have they been given the role they deserve?
I.S.: When Slovenia joined the European Union, working in the institutions was a new challenge that many Slovenians were eager to take. Some of our best people have come to work in the institutions in a plethora of positions - from our Commissioner Janez Potoènik, our MEPs to numerous other employees at all levels in the institutions. Of course we have not been in the European Union for a very long time so our numbers might yet increase.
A.E.: Although only dating back 3 years, does your experience lead you to make any suggestions for the daily functioning of common institutions ?
I.S.: It is true that three years does not seem like a long period, but it is long enough to learn all the practical aspects of work within and with the EU institutions. We have established the necessary contacts and networks here in Brussels and beyond, and we are fully involved in the daily work of the EU.
We are therefore confident that we can be successful also on this practical level during our EU Council Presidency. We will make some practical suggestions as to the everyday functioning of the working bodies, but our primary goal in this sense will be to ensure that already agreed working practicies and rules of procedure are duly respected, since that makes efficient work possible - or, to quote an ancient maxim: serve the order and the order will serve you.
A.E.: How do you organise contact with the European Parliament? Do you have regular meetings with EP committees and if so, at what level?
I.S.: We have an active team at our Representation that is following closely the work of the EP and its committees to keep us informed on all the developments that are relevant for Slovenia and especially for our work related to our EU Presidency. During the Presidency we will of course be working closely with the Parliament. The Prime Minister will address the plenary session in January, and several ministers and their collaborators will be visiting the relevant EP Committees as well throughout the Presidency.
A.E.: How will relations with accredited journalists be organised?
I.S.: The PR and communication team of the Permanent Representation will be doing the bulk of the contacts with the accredited press here in Brussels. We have two spokespersons, covering Coreper II and Coreper I respectively, as well as a press officer and one of the editors of the Presidency website.
We are currently organizing a visit in Slovenia with a group of accredited journalists so that they can acquaint themselves with the team working in Slovenia. There we will have a Presidency spokesperson, responsible mainly for the contacts with the Slovenian press, as well as a Presidency spokesperson at each ministry. All the information regarding the work of the Presidency will be relayed through the Presidency website, http://www.eu2008.si (or http://www.ue2008.si for the French version), where the press can already get accreditations for the duration of the Presidency.
Our PR team has been cooperating closely with the Press Service in the Council, as well as our colleagues in other EU institutions and Permanent Representations, and will continue to do so.
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IMPORTANT MEETINGS UNDER THE SLOVENIAN PRESIDENCY
The official calendar will start on:
8 January: Joint meeting of European Commission and Slovenian government at Brdo
7 and 8 January: Launch of the European Year of Inter-Cultural Dialogue in Ljubljana
14-17 January: Plenary session: first formal meeting of Slovenian Presidency with EP
2 European Councils are scheduled:
13 - 14 March 2008 in Brussels
19 - 20 June 2008 in Brussels
Institutional Calendar
Agriculture and Fisheries Council (to be confirmed), Brussels, 07/01/2008
European Parliament plenary, Strasbourg, 14-17/01/2008
Eurogroup, Brussels, 21/01/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council (to be confirmed), Brussels, 21/01/2008
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Brussels, 22/01/2008
Justice and Internal Affairs Council, 24-25/01/2880
General Affairs and External Relations Council, 28-29/01/2008
European Parliament, mini-plenary, Brussels, 30-31/01/2008
Eurogroup, Brussels, 11/02/2008
Education, Youth and Culture Council, Brussels, 14/02/2008
General Affairs and External Relations Council, 18-19/02/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 18-19/02/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 21-24/02/2008
Competitiveness Council, Brussels, 25-26/02/2008
Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council, Brussels, 28/02/2008
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council, Brussels, 28/02/2008
Justice and Internal Affairs Council, Brussels, 28/02/2008
Eurogroup, Brussels, 03/03/2008
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Brussels, 03/03/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 10-13/03/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 17-18/03/2008
Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council, Brussels, 7-8/04/2008
European Parliament, mini plenary, Brussels, 9-10/04/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 14-15/04/2008
Justice and Internal Affairs Council, Brussels, 17-18/04/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 21-24/04/2008
General Affairs and External Relations Council, Luxembourg, 28-29/04/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 7-8/05/2008
Eurogroup, Brussels, 13/05/2008
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Brussels, 14/05/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 19-20/05/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 19-22/05/2008
Education, Youth and Culture Council, Brussels, 21-22/05/2008
General Affairs and External Relations Council, Luxembourg, 26-27/05/2008
Eurogroup, Luxembourg, 02/06/2008
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 03/06/2008
European Parliament, mini plenary, Brussels, 04-05/06/2008
Justice and Internal Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 05-06/06/2008
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council, Luxembourg, 09-10/06/2008
Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council, Luxembourg, 12-13/06/2008
European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg, 16-19/06/2008
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Luxembourg, 23-24/06/2008
Environment Council, Luxembourg, 26-06-2008
External Timetable (few meetings scheduled with non-EU countries)
UNCTAD XII, Accra (Ghana), 20-25-04-2008
EU-Latin American and Caribbean Summit, Lima (Peru), 16/05/2008
Summit of Mediterranean countries (on the initiative of France - not clear whether the EU will be attending), probably in Marseilles (France), June 2008
Informal Meetings in Brdo (near Ljubljana), Slovenia
Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, 24-26/01/2008
Employment, Social Policy and Sexual Equality Ministers and Conference, 29/01-02/02/2008
Defence Ministers, 21-22/02/2008
Conference on management of internal borders, 11-12/03/2008
Sports Ministers, 16-17/03/2008
Gymnich-type meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers, 28-29/03/2008
Economic and Finance (ECOFIN) Ministers, 04-05-04/2008
Environment Ministers, 11-12/04/2008
Competitiveness Ministers, 14-16/04/2008
Health Ministers, 17-18/04/2008
Transport Ministers, 05-06/05/2008
Agriculture Ministers and Special Agricultural Committee meeting, 25-27/05/2008
Informal Meetings in Brussels
Ministerial conference on a shared programme to promote multi-lingualism, 15/02/2008
Trade Ministers' Dinner, 09/03/2008
Miscellaneous
EIB, annual conference, 28/02/2008
Meeting of mayors of EU and candidate country capital cities (Committee of the Regions), Slovenia, 8-9/05/2008
EIB, celebration of 50th anniversary and inauguration of new buildings in Luxembourg, 02/06/2008
EIB, Governing Council, Frankfurt (Germany), 03/06/2008
ECB, celebration of 10th anniversary of the euro, Frankfurt (Germany), 02/06/2008
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SLOVENIANS IN BRUSSELS - A VILLAGE FORMS AND GROWS
Do you know any Slovenians in your department? This question can be asked of dozens of middle-ranking officials of the European Commission, the Council or the European Parliament only to be met by puzzled looks. 'It's true, I don't know any,' 'Yes,' 'Perhaps,' 'I think so'. Vague responses with nobody knowing for certain.
It is true that the number of Slovenian officials in the EU institutions has the same demographic weight as their very small country. There are barely 155 officials at the European Commission, according to the institution's budget figures. As many Slovenians as will be employed at the country's Permanent Representation Office in Brussels during the first half of 2008. In other institutions, the answer to the question is not always clear - something which can lead one to make an educated guess or suggest avenues of research.
There are, however, between 600 and 700 Slovenians living in Brussels, officials of various institutions and members of their family. In addition, there are Slovenians working at NATO in Brussels and a smaller number of others working as representatives for Slovenian bodies (the Slovenian Tourist Board has opened an office in Brussels), consultants, lobbyists and restaurant owners. A Slovenian restaurant owner near the Albert Borschette Building in Brussels commented that his restaurant was a place where the small community of Slovenian expats met up. A little corner of Slovenia under the grey skies of Brussels.
Commentators suggest that Brussels is becoming more attractive for Slovenians considering tempting their fate abroad, particularly in Europe. The Belgian capital is said to be gradually becoming a good springboard for careers where knowledge of the European institutions is becoming essential. Understanding of the Brussels labyrinth opens many doors, particularly in the private sector which, we are told, is starting to pay far greater attention to the Brussels machinery and its generation of regulations and directives. It is becoming indispensable to be able to find one's way around the institutions here in order to make use of this for business purposes and the understanding of EU legislation has become key. There is clear interest among Slovenians here in Brussels or in their homeland, like the holders of other nationalities, in learning how to make the most of the European Union and its mechanisms.
How can the low levels of Slovenians be explained at the European institutions? 'It's because we aren't a problem for anyone,' laughs Slovenian MEP Alojz Peterle, who made an unsuccessful bid to become president of Slovenia in November 2007. Circles close to the European Commissioners in the Berlaymont Building in Brussels suggest another explanation - when arriving in the institutions, Slovenians are given the recommendation - when in Rome, do as the Romans do. The watchword is to keep your head down and not rock the boat by emphasizing differences. They are recommended not to make too much fuss about what seems to cause the most raised eyebrows among Slovenians in the various institutions - the complexity of communications, due to what is felt to be an oppressive hierarchy of internal procedures and a type of administrative culture shock - but this goes no further than a few grumbles. A Slovenian official explained that Slovenians were used to a simpler level of hierarchy, adding that the high number of levels in multi-storey buildings in Brussels is a characteristic of the staff structure as well as the buildings. This is described as a system 'à la française', a French-style way of doing things, which is seen as a challenge but is not considered a fatal obstacle, comments a more understanding official, adding that it is inevitable given the sheer complexity of procedures to take account of the diverse range of stakeholders from twenty-seven member states. The EU is probably unique in the sense that it is a negotiating machinery that has to negotiate non-stop - clear and well-managed rules are required for this purpose.
We were told both at the Council and the Berlaymont that the dividing line is really between people with experience of European affairs and those coming straight from the private sector or academia, and it is understandable that the difference in scale of the EU and Slovenian institutions will clearly take some adjusting to in the goodness of time.
A fair number of the Slovenians interviewed, however, had long experience of European affairs, particularly at the Permanent Representation. Others explained that they had had frequent contact with EU structures from Ljubljana. They add that they followed developments at the EU institutions and changes in dossiers on a daily basis by close perusal of publications from the Europe press agency.
Slovenians' low visibility is also suggested as being due to the fact that they do not stand out because of their frequent use of an unknown language, Slovenian. A language which is often mutilated. There is concern ahead of the Slovenian Presidency of first names and surnames being 'butchered' if they cannot be pronounced. Use of the 'stesica' a little upside-down V over the letter s, c or z, does not facilitate matters. A head of a language unit explained that it is easy - the stesica means the letters are to be pronounced 'she', 'ch' and 'dj'. Not forgetting 'j' which is pronounced as a 'y' in Slovenian. These points should be borne in mind to kick off 2008 in fine form, the year of inter-cultural dialogue (one of the Slovenian Presidency's priorities). More seriously, the Slovenian language is used mainly for contact with the Slovenian administration back home and within Commissioner Potocnik's cabinet office at the European Commission. Otherwise, the main language used is English, followed by German and Italian and French joint third.
More EU officials are arriving from Slovenia, and also from the other new EU member states. The Commission published its recruitment targets on 26 June 2007 and started the process of recruiting officials from the twelve new member states to fill gaps in the high echelons of the hierarchy and in Commission departments. Some 149 Slovenians are expected to be recruited very swiftly and the recruitment procedures are already underway.
The Commission says that overall, EU10 recruitment is highly satisfactory. As at 1 May 2007, some 2,520 officials and temporary agents had been recruited from the new member states, or 90.4% of the ambitious recruitment targets set for 2004-2007, namely 2,790 new staff in total.
There is only one Slovenian Deputy Director General, Zoran Stancic. A research expert, he was initially suggested as Director General for Research (a department managed by the Slovenian Commissioner), but he was actually appointed as Deputy Director General because he wanted to work on research and it is the custom for Director Generals to be of a different nationality from the Commissioner they report to.
It is too early to say how the Slovenians are impacting, explained an official. Things are coming together but three years is a relatively short timespan, he said.
The life of the Slovenian community in Brussels will also become clear in the future. Collective activity is based on proximity of language, culture and cuisine and is expanding with the arrival of new compatriots. Slovenians are finding partners of other nationalities meaning that the community is gradually fitting into the Brussels landscape. Like their colleagues of all other nationalities, the Slovenians provide a good-humoured contribution to the Brussels cosmopolitan melting pot and are adding to the country's traditions. But there is not yet a Slovenian section at the European School, where teaching is in English apart from specific language lessons.
For leisure activities outside of work, the small Slovenian community gets together at concerts occasionally but the main time they meet up with their Slovenian friends is at sports events. The Slovenian Commissioner rarely misses the Tuesday training sessions of the Slovenian volley ball team at the military school near the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels. But he hardly ever takes part in matches against teams of officials of other nationalities.
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SLOVENIANS IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
European Commissioner:
Dr Janez Potoènik, European Commissioner for Research and Science.
Matjaž Malgaj, member of Dr Potoènik's cabinet.
Vesna Valant, member of Dr Potoènik's cabinet.
European Commission departments:
Zoran Stanèiè, Deputy Director General, DG Research.
Marjeta Jager, Director, DG Energy and Transport (Security and Protection of Individuals).
Filip Majcen, Director. DG Translations, Horizontal Services.
Žiga Bahovec, Head of Unit. DG Information Society and Media. Legal Affairs.
155 officials in total (97 women, 58 men)
Council of Ministers
Ivan Bizjak, Director General. DG Justice and Home Affairs.
Boštjan Šporar, Head of Unit, Linguistic Service.
European Parliament
7 MEPs
Alojz PETERLE (EPP-ED) Nova Slovenija
Member of EP's Foreign Affairs Committee
Member of EP's Human Rights Sub-Committee
Member of EP's Delegation for relations with South-East Asian countries and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Mihael BREJC (EPP-ED) Vice-President of Slovenia's Social Democratic Party (SDS)
Member of EP's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee
Member of EP's Security and Defence Sub-Committee
Member of EP's Delegation for relations with South Africa
Romana JORDAN CIZELJ (EPP-ED) Slovenska Demokratska Stranka
Vice-President of EP's Development Committee
Member of EP's Industry, Research and Energy Committee
Member of EP's Temporary Committee on Climate Change
Member of EP's Delegation for relations with the United States
Ljudmila NOVAK (EPP-ED) Nova Slovenija
Member of EP's Culture and Education Committee
Member of EP's Delegation to EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly
Borut PAHOR (PES) Socialni Demokrati
Vice-President of EP's Delegation to the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee
Member of EP's Budgetary Control Committee
Member of EP's Constitutional Affairs Committee
Mojca DRÈAR MURKO (ALDE) LDS (Liberalna Demokracija Slovenije - Chairwoman of the Slovenian Association of Journalists' Tribunal 1974-1976).
Member of EP's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee
Member of EP's Delegation to the EU-Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee
Jelko KACIN (ALDL) Liberalna Demokracija Slovenije
Vice-President of EP's Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
Member of EP's Foreign Affairs Committee
European Parliament services
Ciril Štokelj, Deputy Director in the President's cabinet
EP administrative staff (including linguistic services): 24 officials, 27 administrative assistants
27 temporary agents
28 managers and 3 administrative assistants in the political groups
European Court of Justice
Marko Ilešiè, Judge
Verica Trstenjak, Advocate General
46 officials (31 of whom are managers)
European Court of First Instance
Miro Prek
Committee of the Regions
Irena Majcen, Head of Slovenian Delegation (Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica)
Ale Cerin (EPP), Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana
Anton Smolnikar (PES), Mayor of Kamnik
Franci Rokavec (EPP), Chair of Litija Municipal Council
JasminaVidmar (ALDE), Maribor Municipal Council
Alternate Members: Anton Štihec (Mayor of Murska Sobota municipality);Jure Megliè (Deputy Mayor,Tržiè municipal council);Štefan Èelan (Mayor of Ptuj municipality);Siniša Germovšek (member of Bovec municipal council);Blaž Milavec (Mayor of Sodražica);Branko Ledinek (Mayor of Ra è e-Fram municipality);Breda Škrjanec (member of Grosuplje municipal council).
European Investment Bank
Governing Council member: Andrej BAJUK
5 officials or experts.
Economic and Social Council
6 officials.
3 temporary agents or contractual staff.
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USEFUL INFORMATION
Ambassador and Permanent Representative: Igor Senèar
Rue du Commerce 44 1000 Brussels +32 2 213 63 00 Fax: +32 2213 63 01. spbr@gov.si.
http: //brussels.representation.si
Permanent Representation by subject area
http: //brussels.representation.si/index.php?id=621&L=1
Spokespeople for EU Presidency: http://www.eu2008.si
Anže Logar Spokesperson of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency in Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 478 26 30 Mobile: +386 51 608 331 E-mail: anze.logar@gov.si
Maja Kocijanèiè (COREPER II)
Phone: +32 2 213 64 25 Mobile: +32 499 69 67 34 E-mail: maja.kocijancic@gov.si
Dragan Barbutovski (COREPER I)
Phone: +32 2 213 64 71 Mobile: +32 499 69 67 31 E-mail: dragan.barbutovski@gov.si
Tinca Štokojnik (Press Contacts) Phone: +32 2 213 64 36 Mobile: +32 499 69 67 38 E-mail: tinca.stokojnik@gov.si
Vesna Zadnik (Webpages) Phone: +32 2 213 64 38 Mobile: +32 499 69 67 53 E-mail: vesna.zadnik@gov.si
Council of Ministers: http: //http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.ASP?lang=fr
Spokespeople for Slovenian ministries
Slovenian government website: http://www.gov.si , http: //http://www.vlada.si/index.php?lng=eng Official information: http://www.slovenia.si
Foreign Ministry: Jakob Štunf Mobile: +386 51 675 212 e-mail: jakob.stunf@gov.si http: //http://www.mzz.gov.si/index.php
European Affairs Office: Helena Vodušek Mobile: +386 41 755 969
E-mail: helena.vodusek@gov.si - http://www.svez.gov.si/en/ et http://www.svez.gov.si/en/newsroom/
Economics Ministry: Alja Tihle Mobile: +386 51 370 013 E-mail: alja.tihle@gov.si
Ministry of Growth: Eldina Knez Mobile: +386 51 676 433
E-mail: eldina.knez@gov.si
Agriculture, Food and Forestry Ministry: Jernej Kovaè Mobile: +386 51 680 238 E-mail: jernej.kovac@gov.si
Ministry of Transport: Liza Poljak Mobile: +386 51 691 542 E-mail: liza.poljak@gov.si
Ministry of Communications: http: //http://www.ukom.gov.si/slo/
Official information: http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/slovenia-news/.
The EU in Slovenia
Representative of the European Commission: Mihela Zupanèiè
Contact Press: Tina Vonèina Mobile: +386 41 750 255 e-mail: tina.voncina@ec.europa.eu
Representative of the European Parliament: Nataša Goršek Mencin +386 1 252 88 30 Fax: +386 1 252 88 40 e-mail: epljubljana@europarl.europa.eu Internet: http://www.europarl.si Press Officer: Maja Kezunoviè Krašek + 386 1 252 88 42 maja.kezunovickrasek @europarl.europa.eu
Miscellaneous
Useful links: http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/useful-links/
National Assembly: http://www.dz-rs.si/index.php?id=69
NGO: http://www.predsedovanje.si/index.php?lang=en
Development and Cooperation: http://www.predsedovanje.si/en/development-cooperation/3.html
NGO - Intercultural Dialogue: http://www.predsedovanje.si/en/medkulturni-dialog/3.html
NGO - Climate Change and Energy: http://www.predsedovanje.si/en/podnebje-in-energetika/2.html
NGO - Equality between Men and Women: http://www.predsedovanje.si/en/enakost-spolov/2.html
Mediawatch: http: //mediawatch.mirovni-institut.si/eng/