The government has adopted a staffing plan for Slovenia's EU presidency in 2008. The document, which was outlined on Thursday, says that existing employees have to be utilised as much as possible, whereas gaps will be covered by additional staff and experts from the outside.
The working group for EU presidency has approved fixed-term employment of 310 additional staff, a figure they arrived at based on the analysis of staff needs at individual government bodies and the events that Slovenia will have to organise.
The ministries of foreign affairs and agriculture have been approved the most new staff (20 and 21 respectively), whereas other agencies and government agencies will mostly get one or two new employees.
Moreover, the Permanent Representation in Brussels will be able to take on 121 new staff. The decision to have a strong base in Brussels (a total staff of 170) is based on the experience of other smaller EU members (like Austria and Ireland), the government said.
The staffing plan is based on estimates and projections, so the government has also acknowledged that subsequent changes will have to be made, in particular when budgets for 2007 and 2008 are adopted.
The staff from the various ministries which will be assigned to EU presidency-related tasks will first undergo training at the Foreign Ministry.
Additionally, the government has approved additional payments for greater workload for employees in Slovenia and at missions abroad.
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