At the start of the New Year, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, held a traditional reception for members of the foreign Diplomatic Corps in Slovenia. The participants were addressed by Mr Janša, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr Santos Abril y Castello.

Prime Minister Janez Janša and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr Santos Abril y Castello (Photo Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)

The Slovenian PM presented the main challenges that Slovenia will face this year and during its EU presidency. He stressed that the government is preparing for the tenure with a special commitment. "This is the greatest project in independent Slovenia, and therefore, we must do our very best to make it a success."

Mr Janša welcomed the signs of optimism that have lately come from Europe. The enlargement of the Eurozone is not only a new chapter in Slovenia's success story, but also a affirmation of the EU. With regard to this, the PM said that by the time of the Slovenian presidency, solutions would need to have been crystallised that would strengthen the EU's position as a global player with answers to all the major issues of the 21st century. "Slovenia is convinced that the answers can be found among those agreed upon by the members in the past. Enlargement must remain one of the key factors for strengthening the EU."

In addition to the enlargement issue, the PM outlined other priorities of Slovenia's presidency, such as energy, inter-cultural dialogue, and increasing competitiveness while ensuring so-called flexible social security. He emphasised that the complete list of issues that will have characterised Slovenia's presidency would be known only at the end of it. "The biggest surprise of our term would be if there were no surprises, especially since as head of the EU, we will coordinate, and on behalf of all twenty-seven members, express views on virtually all international issues."

According to Mr Janša, it is important that Europe can count on its alliance with the USA. He reminded his guests that last year Slovenia ranked very high with regard to the number of troops per capita in peacekeeping operations. "At this moment, we can see an even firmer commitment to the partnership from both sides of the Atlantic, which is not only a good sign for the Euro-Atlantic community, but also brings fresh optimism about the fact that by re-launching global trade negotiations, it will be possible to overcome fear of the pressures of global competition." In conclusion, the Slovenian PM stressed that the growth of the global economy should be beneficial to everyone, while global progress must be based on preserving the integrity and sustainability of human development.

Speech by the Prime Minister Janez Janša

(si/en/fr)