Lenarcic: Preparations for EU Presidency According to Plan
The parliamentary EU Affairs Committee discussed on Friday a report on progress in the preparations for EU presidency, with EU Affairs State Secretary Janez Lenarcic assuring that Slovenia is well on track to being completely ready for the task.
Presenting the report on the progress made between last November and April this year, Lenarcic explained that the preparations have entered the final phase and that the focus is shifting to the subject matter of the presidency.
However, he added that the main topics of the Slovenian presidency will largely depend on the legacy of the German and Portuguese stints.
Lenarcic meanwhile explained that a reevaluation of the presidency budget is underway, coming foremost as a result of the increase from eight to ten in the number of meetings planned in Slovenia. The new estimate will be known sometime next month, with the increase expected to stand at 10% in relation to the current EUR 57m.
Arguing that the presidency need not be seen as brining only expenses, he pointed out that Austria for instance had managed to outweigh the costs of its presidency through the hotel industry and other services.
According to Lenarcic, the setting up of the presidency web site is well on track, however the page will only be unveiled a month before Slovenia takes over as has become tradition with former presiding countries.
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