Jansa, Leterme Discuss Bilateral Relations, June EU Summit
Bilateral relations and preparations for the June EU summit topped the talks between Prime Minister Janez Jansa and his Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme in Ljubljana on Wednesday.
The pair agreed that relations between the countries are good. Jansa said that economic cooperation has been developing especially well.
He noted that tradem, especially in the services sector, has increased strongly recently, adding that this showed there was still a lot of potential on both sides for further strengthening of cooperation.
There are no open issues between the countries, said Jansa and thanked Belgium for its support for Slovenia's efforts for memebership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Slovenia started the accession talks in December last year.
Leterme also called for further strengthening of economic cooperation. He said that Belgium respected Slovenia's achievements and that Slovenia has proven to be a successful and reliable EU member. He believes that the country's stint at the helm of the bloc will be successful.
Jansa said that he appreciated Belgium's contribution to the stabilisation of the Western Balkans. He said that Belgium was engaged in the stabilisation of Kosovo at least as strongly as Slovenia was. Leterme meanwhile said that the EU Eulex mission should operate on Kosovo's entire territory.
Belgium supports the Western Balkans' EU accession and finds it a guarantee for stability in the region, it however insists on Serbia's full cooperation with the Hague tribunal before the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that the EU and Serbia signed on 29 April enters fully into force.
Leterme said that Serbia needed to respect the principle of the rule of law and international law, as these were two fundamental principles of the EU.
European prospects of the Western Balkans will also be one of the topics at the June EU summit, where EU leaders will also review the implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda for the Western Balkans.
The summit will also discuss practical solutions for the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, which would enter into force on 1 January 2009 in case of a successful ratification in member states.
Slovenia hopes that 20 members will ratify the treaty until the end of Slovenia's spell as EU president, and expects a positive outcome of the referendum on ratification in Ireland on 12 June.
Leterme highlighted the need for sincere and open debate on profiles of individuals most adequate for key EU functions under the Lisbon Treaty and their powers, and other issues related to the implementation of the document.
The June summit will also touch on Europe's neighbouring policy. Jansa said that Belgium and Slovenia shared similar views on the issue.
Leterme also met President Danilo Tuerk today. The pair discussed numerous issues, including the EU's activities and preparations for the June summit.
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