Rupel and Solana Agree Slovenia Ready for EU Presidency
Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel and Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, agreed in Brussels on Monday that Slovenian diplomats were well prepared for the country's upcoming spell as EU president.
Rupel told the press after Solana addressed a consultation of Slovenian diplomats that "considering what Solana said today, there is a lot of work ahead for Slovenia, but I believe that Slovenian diplomats are up to the challenge". According to him, Solana presented a "panoramic view of global politics and international relations, from China and Russia to the EU and its philosophy". "The most important thing is what Solana said regarding the importance and power of the West," said the Foreign Minister. "The West represents a sixth of humankind and it has to adapt to what it is, listen to others and make long-term strategies," he added.
The consultation included discussions on a number of interesting questions related to the Middle East, Western Balkans, and Serbia-Kosovo relations, said Rupel, adding that the Western Balkans was one of the priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency in the first half of 2008.
Solana meanwhile told the press he was convinced that Slovenian leaders would do a good job during Slovenia's stint as EU president, which comes in a critical period for a number of issues, including Kosovo, the Middle East and Africa.
Slovenia is well prepared to take the responsibility in solving open issues - including the future status of Kosovo - said Solana, adding that he believed that Slovenia would continue in this vein. The issue has to be dealt with no matter what will happen in December, as Kosovo and Serbia will remain on the European map, said Solana. "The EU has to continue cooperating with Serbia, Kosovo and other parts of the region," he added.
10 December is the deadline until which the troika of the EU, US and Russian representatives have to draft a report on the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.
The meeting of Slovenian ambassadors was also addressed by European Commissioner for Enlargement Oli Rehn, while Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik is scheduled to speak later today.
Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini are slated to speak at the consultation on Tuesday.
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