Prime Minister Janez Jansa is to pay an introductory visit to the EU and NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, where he will discuss a number of topics regarding Slovenia's relations with the EU and NATO.
The PM is scheduled to meet President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, Slovenian Commissioner Janez Potocnik, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Talks at the European Commission are expected to focus on negotiations on the EU's financial arrangements between 2007 and 2013, the Lisbon Strategy reform, the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact and the continuation of the EU enlargement process, where the debate may also touch on the relations between Slovenia and Croatia.
At the December EU summit, Jansa backed the start of accession talks with Croatia scheduled for 17 March. He said that this would produce a new framework for solving Slovenian-Croatian open issues.
Slovenia also supports the reform of the Lisbon Strategy, which it believes should be based on more realistic foundations. It is moreover in favour of slight changes to the implementation of the Stability Pact.
Slovenia backed the future financial perspective as tabled by the European Commission, which foresees a rise in the EU spending to an average 1.14% GNP of the enlarged EU.
The country would like the agreement on the new budget period to be reached at the June summit. This would give member states enough time to prepare for its implementation.
Jansa is also expected to discuss the division of Slovenia into regions, on the basis of which the country will draw structural funds from the EU budget.
Preparations for the introduction of the single European currency in 2007 and the employment of Slovenians, particularly translators and interpreters, in EU institutions will also be on the PM's agenda.
The officials are expected to discuss the ratification of the European constitutional treaty. Slovenia plans to ratify the document among the first member states, i.e. on 1 February.
Also on the agenda will be the preparations for the first team presidency of Slovenia, Germany and Portugal between 2007 and mid 2008, provided that the constitution comes into force. If not, Slovenia is scheduled to preside over the EU in the first half of 2008.
Trans-Atlantic relations, the situation in the Western Balkans and priorities of the Slovenian OSCE chairmanship are expected to be the topics discussed at the meeting with Solana, the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy.
Jansa is to conclude his visit to Brussels at the NATO headquarters, where he is to meet Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. Jansa and de Hoop Scheffer are to discuss trans-Atlantic relations and cooperation of NATO with other multilateral organisations. Slovenia's activities in NATO will also be on the agenda. The country is participating in NATO operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
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