Slovenia Opens New Permanent EU Representation Offices
Brussels, 15 December
Prime Minister Janez Jansa officially opened in Brussels on Friday the new offices of Slovenia's Permanent Representation to the EU. Jansa took the opportunity to label Slovenia's upcoming stint as EU president as the biggest challenge for the country after its independence.
"It is not only our reputation in the EU that depends on how we deal with this challenge, but the reputation of all the newcomers...Many eyes will be looking our way," Jansa said. The seven-storey building, located on Rue de Commerce 44 in Brussels's diplomatic quarter, is an extremely valuable acquisition for Slovenia, officials at the mission said. The building was bought by the government in December last year for a EUR 6m. An additional EUR 2m was invested for renovation and furnishing. The 3,200 sq. metre premises, which are expected to accommodate 170 employees during Slovenia's EU presidency in the first half of 2008, were ready in September this year. At the moment 98 people work at the mission. An interesting feature of the building is the five conference rooms, each named after one of the five motifs featured on Slovenia's euro coins.