FM Rupel Outlines Plans for Future
Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel oulined the activities of the ministry after he recently took over. He has also downplayed the failure of the ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), saying that 21 resolutions were adopted at the Sofia meeting earlier last week.
Addressing the first press conference after his return to the Foreign Ministry, Slovenia's longest serving foreign minister, said he has just returned from Sofia, whether he attended the OSCE ministerial as the incoming chairman-in-office of the organisation. He said that despite problems, the meeting adopted 21 resolutions based on consensus among the 55 member states.
Rupel highlighted the resolutions on the fight against terrorism, border security, container transport, and the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination. The ministers also agreed to strengthen the position of the OSCE secretary general and to set up a panel of eminent personalities tasked with preparing OSCE reforms.
Rupel also outlined the ministry's programme over the following weeks, highlighting two meetings due next week within the EU: the General Affairs & External Relations Council, followed by the European Council. The major topics will be Turkey and Croatia, according to Rupel.
While Slovenia sees some advantages in launching accession talks with Turkey, it also anticipates some problems. The assets of Turkey's membership are bigger than problems, which is why Rupel believes it is necessary to support the European Commission's recommendation to start talks. On the downside, Rupel pointed to the problem of Cyprus, civilian control over the armed forces and human rights.
As to Croatia, Rupel said Slovenia was set to back a prompt beginning of negotiations with this country. "We would want Croatia to enter the process of alignment with European standards, as this will also be good for us." The minister said that Slovenia could advance possible reservations in the course of the negotiations.
Rupel described the relations with the neighbour as by and large good, with some issues that "have been open for a while and will require more time to be solved". These issues cannot be tackled overnight, Rupel reiterated.
Rupel also announced that Slovenia would start preparing for presiding over the EU. This will be a big challenge for the ministry, the government and the country in general, he said. Germany and Portugal, which will make up the first EU troika along with Slovenia, have already offered their cooperation, Rupel said.
The minister also announced some visits by his counterparts to Slovenia around the New Year: Slovakia's Edvard Kukan, Austria's Ursula Plassnik, Serbia-Montenegro's Vuk Draskovic, as well as Russian Deputy FM Vladimir Chizov.
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