Slovene presidency of the EU in first half of 2008

Brussels, 15 November

At an informal meeting with the Dutch Presidency of the EU on 11 November, Slovenia agreed to a proposal by which Slovenia would be a part of the first troika, together with Germany and Portugal, as part of the team presidency of the Council of the EU for the period from the beginning of 2007 to the middle of 2008, with Slovenia taking the last term during the first six months of 2008. Slovenia's Ambassador to the EU Ciril Stokelj answered on some of our questions regarding the presidency.

What does this proposal mean for Slovenia?

Slovenia is extremely honoured to be included in the first troika and sees the proposal for an early presidency – it would be the first of the new EU member states to take this role – as a major recognition, as it means that the EU sees it as a qualified new member which is capable of accepting the challenge of the presidency in only a few years’ time. It would mean a huge responsibility and a major financial challenge, and creates the necessity for thorough preparations especially with regard to human resources and organization. It can turn for help and support in these endeavours to its past international experience, such as being a temporary member of the UN Security Council and its presidency of that body, its current presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI) and upcoming presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the next year. The dimensions of the presidency of the EU are of course much greater. Normal preparations for the presidency among old member states take two years, while for new members it is estimated that it will take at least three. In the proposed candidacy for assuming the presidency in the first troika it is also significant that Slovenia enjoys enormous and unified support from both of its co-presidential candidates, Germany and Portugal, who with their past experience in leading the EU will undoubtedly be able to assist in the successful conclusion of preparations for the presidency as well as the presidency itself.
For six months, Slovenia will represent the European Union in international organizations and in bilateral political meetings between the EU and third-party countries. During that period, Slovenia will be the EU spokesperson in international relations, and as the representative of the European Union will be one of the key figures in global foreign relations.

Are we ready for this task?

As mentioned, preparations for the presidency usually take two years. Slovenia as a new member state has three years to prepare, which in our estimate is a sufficient amount of time. When the Netherlands as the current holder of the presidency with its years of experience decided in its proposal which of the new members could be prepared in three years, they estimated that Slovenia has sufficient human resources and the financial potential to carry out such a project. This is an exceptional honour and recognition, since it shows that Slovenia has joined the European Union at a high level of qualification. Our professionals who represent Slovenia in the working bodies of the Council of the EU are competent and comparably qualified with respect to their colleagues from older member states.

What does the presidency of the Council of the EU include? What sort of function is it?

Each member state holds the presidency for a term of six months and harmonizes the work of all the working bodies of the Council of the European Union, where member states agree on joint policy and pass European legislation. The country which holds the presidency chairs the internal procedures of passing legislation in all fields, chairs negotiations among member states and is charged with searching for and preparing compromise proposals which could lead the negotiations to conclusion. The speed and quality of the passing of the legislation in the Council of the EU therefore depends mainly on the priorities of the country which holds the presidency and its negotiating skills. During this time, the country which holds the presidency also chairs the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), nine formations of ministerial councils and all informal and other meetings.
The presidency of the EU also includes the chairing of all formations of the operation of the European Council. The basic level is the chairing of the numerous working groups, chairing of the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), the preparation and chairing of EU ministerial councils, and the preparation and presidency of the European Council – the quarterly assembly of the leaders of the governments and member states of the EU. Another important element is cooperation and coordination with the European Commission and the Commissioners, who are actively involved in decision-making at all levels of operation of the European Council. And not least, with the strengthening of the role of the European Parliament, the majority of decisions have to be harmonized with it as well. To give a brief definition of the function of the EU presidency, we would have to say that the protocol, i.e. symbolic leadership function is highly subordinated to the working function and a large amount of responsibility.

How can we explain the enthusiasm for the euro in Slovenia?

Through its successful negotiations for membership in the EU, Slovenia has demonstrated that it is pro-Europe. Our citizens understand that in today’s world, European countries must make a combined presentation in world economic and financial markets and in the field of foreign policy. That is the long-term and general reason. In the short term, it is clear that due to its size and geographical position Slovenia will be increasingly involved in the financial and social currents of the European Union. The countries of the European Union are our biggest trade and business partner, and our students and researchers travel increasingly through the European Union and acquire new knowledge. We are becoming an increasingly open and European society. In this context, the introduction of the euro as the common European currency is an obvious step along the planned path to integration into the European Union.

Slovene presidency of the EU in first half of 2008

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