PM Believes Govt Has Enough Time to Prepare for EU Presidency

Brdo pri Kranju, 25 July

The government has enough time to prepare for the demanding task of chairing over the EU in the first half of 2008, Prime Minister Janez Jansa has said at a meeting between Slovenian ministers and state secretaries with high-ranking officials from the UK, Denmark and Austria.

Tuesday's meeting was organised at Brdo pri Kranju by the Government Office for European Affairs and the PM's office in order to acquaint Slovenia with the experience of those countries that have already chaired the EU.
The experience of the UK, Denmark and Austria is of extreme importance, especially in drafting plans for cooperation between (Slovenia and) the European institutions and national bodies of member states, Jansa added.
Acording to Jansa, the first phase of Slovenia's preparations for chairing over the EU will be completed by the end of the year. The phase includes drafting Slovenia's priorities, personnel management and financial plans, alongside acquiring experience from previous EU chairs.
The second phase will begin in January next year, and will include practical preparations and an in-depth analysis of issues facing the EU, which would be topical also during Slovenia's stint, he added.
"To be acquainted with issues on the European level is not enough. It is necessary to be familiar with the member states' internal situation, especially those that would directly influence the taking of joint decisions", Jansa explained.
He also stressed that the government should complete the majority of the issues related to the economic and social reforms by the end of the year, meaning that it could then focus entirely on preparations to chair over the 25-strong bloc.

PM Believes Govt Has Enough Time to Prepare for EU Presidency

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