NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor: the energy and climate change package is beneficial to the EU and Slovenia

"Environmental objectives will be achieved and European industry will not fall victim to unfair competition from third countries. The costs and benefits of the package will be distributed in a fair manner amongst the Member States. At the same time, the package can also be considered a development opportunity for Slovenia," concluded the Prime Minister after the meeting of the European Council today in Brussels, which unanimously approved the energy and climate package. The package will provide the EU with instruments for achieving ambitious targets in combating climate change.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana)

 

This package will allow the EU to maintain its leading role in ameliorating the effects of climate change.  "The package also sets an example for other countries seeking solutions to reduce emissions, but primarily for the upcoming US administration led by Barack Obama, which is perceived as a new hope for the entire world," stated Prime Minister Pahor.

 

Prime Minister Borut Pahor and his Czech colleague Mirek Topolanek

(Photo: Bor Slana)

 

The package is also a good development opportunity for Slovenia, since it will provide new jobs and will direct income from the sale of gas emission allowances into development-oriented policies. "In the case of Slovenia, the package takes into consideration the possibility that carbon sinks in forests provide space for a reduction of emissions. We have been assured that in the cost and benefit distribution scheme the level of development in the Member States will be taken into consideration. Our industries, for example the steel and aluminium industry, which is exposed to international competition, will be adequately protected against unfair competition," explained the Prime Minister.

 

Today, the European Council also gave its support to the recovery plan for the European economy on a scale of 1.5% of GDP. "The joint European economy recovery plan was approved, and it was noted that the Member States have already begun to act by implementing national economic measures. As regards Slovenia, the Government has been doing everything in its power to resolve issues related to economic uncertainties quickly and ambitiously," assured Prime Minister Pahor, expressing support of the proposed extraordinary session of the National Assembly in order to debate this issue as early as in December.

 

Prime Minister Borut Pahor and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Photo: Bor Slana)

 

Moreover, the plan foresees an accelerated use of funds from the EU budget. "An important aspect for Slovenia in this respect is the simplification of procedures for drawing EU cohesion funds. We are paying close attention to this," emphasised the Prime Minister.

 

Prime Minister Pahor also expressed satisfaction with the third key decision of the European Council – the plan for ensuring ratification of the Lisbon Treaty: "A good plan was adopted. I believe it will convince Irish voters. Its goal is ratification of the Treaty by the end of 2009." In connection with this, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of communicating with citizens: "Irish voters will take part in a new referendum. We must avoid the error made during the first Irish referendum, i.e. the lack of communication with people."

 

Prime Minister Borut Pahor and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

On the sidelines of the European Council meeting in Brussels, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia also had a number of bilateral meetings, namely with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek – the future president of the Council of the European Union, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.