The government adopted at its session on Thursday a draft declaration outlining Slovenian activities in the EU for the period between January 2007 and June 2008. According to the document, the main priority in 2007 will be preparations for the EU presidency.
The declaration, and the report on Slovenia's activities in the EU for the previous year, are amongst the most important documents the government adopts every year, State Secretary for European Affairs Janez Lenarcic told the press.
The document that outlines the Slovenian activities for the next 18 months is based on the yearly programme of the European Commission and the 18-month programme for the EU presidency, Lenarcic explained.
According to the document, the key issues facing Slovenia's presidency include the strengthening of the European area of freedom, security and justice and the debates on the future of the EU, the European constitution, enlargement and the Schengen zone.
Slovenia will also continue to strengthen its cooperation with EU institutions and other member states, especially with Germany and Portugal, the two countries that with Slovenia make up a trio of countries successively holding the EU presidency over the next 18 months.
Also at the forefront of Slovenian activities in the EU will be the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy and efforts to carry out institutional reforms of the EU.
Slovenia will strive for headway in the process of Croatia and Turkey joining the EU and work towards setting a date to start the EU accession talks with Macedonia, which obtained candidate country status in December 2005.
Moreover, the documents underscores efforts to continue the expansion of the eurozone and the Schengen passport-free zone to all the new members.
Expansion of the Schengen zone and abolition of border controls are one of the most important political priorities for Slovenia and the EU, the document adds.
In the field of the European area of freedom, security and justice, special attention will be paid to asylum and immigration policies, along with building an effective system of protecting the external borders of the EU.
Slovenia's front-most foreign policy priority will be strengthening the strategic partnership with Russia, developing transatlantic relations and strengthening ties with strategic partners such as Japan, China and India.
Slovenia will also strive to improve the cooperation between the EU and other international organisations, especially the UN and NATO.
The declaration will be forwarded to parliament for debate at February's session.
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