Priorities of Slovenian presidency

Slovenia is presiding the European Union the first six months of 2008. Just like every presidency, the Slovenian government has formulated its main priorities, focussing on: the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the new Lisbon Strategy cycle, the climate-energy issue, the European perspective on the Western Balkans and the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

1. The future of the Union and timely entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty
After signing the Lisbon Treaty on 13 December 2007, efforts of all Member States will need to be concentrated on successful completion of ratification procedures in 2008 to allow the new Treaty to enter into force before the next elections to the European Parliament in 2009. Slovenia wants to set a good example for other Member States by ratifying it no later than at the beginning of 2008.

2. Successful launching of the new Lisbon Strategy cycle
The Lisbon Strategy is one of key priorities of the Slovenian Presidency. We look forward to launching the second cycle of the renewed Lisbon Strategy at the Spring European Council. The Strategy is starting to deliver benefits in terms of increased jobs and growth, and therefore does not need radical changes to priorities or processes. However, we must focus our efforts on implementation. The key to success will be continuing the process and smooth transition into the next cycle. Our aim is to make it a strong cycle, which will be capable of mobilising and empowering European citizens. The Integrated Guidelines strike a delicate balance, and should remain broadly unchanged for the second cycle (2008-2010).
We believe the focus should remain on four priority areas of the Lisbon Strategy: investment in research, knowledge and innovation, development of a competitive business environment, adaptation of labour market and response to demographic challenges, as well as energy policy and climate change.

3. A step forward in addressing climate-energy issues
The European Council of March 2007 defined the basic elements of the Union’s new integrated climate and energy policy. The European Commission’s “climate-energy package”, which will be issued at the end of January, represents one of the key priorities of the Slovenian Presidency. We will start complex negotiations, but decisive actions will be required from all Member States. Slovenia would favour early agreement on the energy-climate package (late 2008/early 2009 at the latest) as this would put EU in a very strong position with our international partners, particular in view of December 2009 conference in Copenhagen. As the fight against climate change and energy policy are closely related, the Presidency will also strive for further progress in the EU energy policy.

4. Strengthening the European perspective of the Western Balkans
Stability of the Western Balkans is of utmost importance for security and prosperity of the entire Union. Therefore, Slovenian Presidency firmly believes that further affirmation of the European perspective for the Western Balkans countries should remain a central item on the EU agenda. We will endeavour towards the reaffirmation of the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda, completion of the network of Stabilization and Association Agreements, and the enhancement of regional cooperation in several areas.
The resoluton of the Kosovo future status as well as the management of the post status process, where the EU will need to assume a leading role, should be achieved in a way to strengthen the stability and security of the entire region.

5. Promoting dialogue between cultures, beliefs and traditions in the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
As 2008 has been proclaimed the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Presidency will endeavour to strengthen the intercultural dialogue within the EU. It is important to popularise the value of intercultural dialogue among the European public at large. The Presidency will particularly strive to promote the intercultural dialogue with the Western Balkans. A special Slovenian contribution in this context is the initiative for establishing a Euro-Mediterranean University in the city of Piran.

This article was written with information provided by Zares - Nova Politika (www.zares.si)