Govt Discusses Priority Tasks for EU Presidency

Ljubljana, 12 January

The government discussed on Thursday Slovenia's priority tasks as the country prepares to take over EU presidency for the first time in the first half of 2008.

According to the Government Office for EU Affairs (SVEZ), the country has drafted an overview of possible presidency topics, a proposal of Slovenia's priority tasks, a draft calendar of main events and a plan of meetings with third countries.
The possible tasks, outlined in the first report on Slovenia's preparations for EU presidency, which was adopted by the cabinet's session, include the bloc's institutional reforms and EU expansion.
Moreover, the government wants to tackle issues existing between the bloc and its neighbours, the Lisbon Strategy and sustainable development as well as EU's competitiveness and the transfer of innovation into the economy.
Furthermore, Slovenia is working on initiatives regarding tourism, culture, environmental protection, and an interim report of cohesion policy and Common Agricultural Policy, besides thinking on the role of EU as a global power.
The cabinet also said that personnel issues have been all but addressed, as the government adopted a staffing plan on 6 October.
According to the report, some 80% of the people needed to carry out the most important tasks during the presidency have already been chosen. The government believes that these tasks will be carried out mainly by Slovenian citizens, SVEZ said.
The cabinet also positively assessed the already drafted promotion and cultural programme, a framework plan for public relations, and the draft document on promotion gifts.
As part of the country's preparations, the Slovenian permanent representation in Brussels will move to new premises this spring, while the country's as yet unknown chief media spokesperson is expected to arrive in Brussels early in 2006.

Govt Discusses Priority Tasks for EU Presidency

More articles from this issue:

Archive