Slovenian, Portuguese FMs Pledge Assistance in EU Presidency

Bled, 15 May

Portugal could greatly assist Slovenia with its experiences and Slovenia could also aid Portugal in tackling important challenges, Slovenian and Portuguese foreign ministers, Dimitrij Rupel and Luis Amado, agreed as they discussed the upcoming EU presidency stints of the two countries.

The ministers met at a working dinner on Tuesday evening, at the outset of Amado's visit to Slovenia. According to the Portuguese officials, the preparations for Portugal's presidency in the second half of 2007 were very different from when the country was gearing up to chair the bloc in 1992 and 2000.
According to him, preparations coordinated between Germany - the current EU president - Portugal and Slovenia - which is to succeed Portugal - were a rewarding experience that allowed Portugal to better understand the EU's dynamics.
It was an interesting experience to draft a joint 18-month presidency plan with three such different countries, as it was shown that different expectations and experiences can come together as a very important programme, Amado said.
The Portuguese minister also pointed to the responsibility that the countries have in implementing the agreed presidency plan and added he was counting on Rupel and Slovenia's experience in the Balkans during his country's term at the helm of the EU.
Rupel meanwhile stressed the EU's constitutional treaty, saying he hoped Germany would be able to draft a balanced proposal on the guidelines.
"I think that Germany is doing a fine job and hope that we can keep as much of the original text as possible," Rupel said, adding that it was impossible to ignore the popular vote in France and the Netherlands as well as concerns by people in other EU members.
"I think that the first part, which we had difficulties agreeing on, should remain as it is and we will see about the rest," Rupel said.