On 14 and 15 December 2006 the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, attended the meeting of the Council of the European Union, where the debate focused on further enlargement of the EU.

 

PHOTO: BOBO

 

At a press conference after the meeting, the PM said that despite the earlier compromise on the accession of Turkey, there was a vigorous strategic debate among the leaders of the 25 member states on further enlargement. He added that all heads of state or government agreed that the countries of the Western Balkans should enter the Union, as EU enlargement policy is the only integration policy which includes this part of Europe. The leaders also cautioned against further enlargement after the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans. "It is obvious that regarding further enlargement to the East and the accession of Turkey, the enlargement process is not the same as it is with regard to EU policy on the Western Balkans," said Mr Janša.

 

The PM said that the summit had focused on other important issues, including immigration. "This question will continue to resurface in the future at meetings of the highest bodies of the EU. Europe is seeking common answers, and it is perfectly clear that the EU will be able to tackle the immigration issue more efficiently once it has established a common policy." EU leaders also expressed their commitment to developing an EU asylum policy.

 

Against the backdrop of the meeting, Slovenia was commended for her achievements; particular praise went to the interior minister Dragutin Mate, who had been the driving force behind the compromise that enabled the enlargement of the Schengen Information System to include new members. "Slovenia will thus enter a wider security area, where responsibility is shared on an equal basis," said the PM.

 

According to Mr Janša the appeal of the Council to discuss flexible security was an important issue for Slovenia, as at this particular time the country is seeking to coordinate measures aimed at securing greater flexibility in the labour market while ensuring social security.