Slovenia on 'collision course' with France over EU enlargement

Slovenia has put itself on a direct collision course with France over plans for future enlargement of the EU.

Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Igor Sencar, Slovenian ambassador to the EU, said that talks paving the way for the EU to further expand beyond its current 27 members would be one of the priorities of its upcoming presidency.

The policy flies in the face of the vision of Europe’s future favoured by French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

He has cautioned against further enlargement, particularly the moves to include Turkey in the EU.

But Sencar, outlining Slovenia’s presidency priorities to a 450-strong audience, said he hopes accession negotiations with both Turkey and Croatia can be advanced in the six months of its term at the head of the EU.

He said, “The EU’s borders should remain open and we strongly support further EU enlargement. During our presidency, we expect to press ahead with some of the remaining accessions chapters.”

One parliamentary insider,who attended the briefing, said, "This policy puts the country which will take charge of the EU for the next six months on a direct collision course with one of the bloc's most important players."

Slovenia takes over the presidency from Portugal on 1 January 2008.

Turning to other priorities, he said Slovenia will be looking to member states to approve the commission’s upcoming legislative package on measures needed to tackle climate change.

“Our presidency will have special focus on this issue and, after next month’s Bali conference on climate change, I hope the European council will give strong, political guidance by endorsing the proposals – and set a timeline for their adoption.”

“If so, this will give a clear signal to industry and consumers.

Other issues on which Slovenia will concentrate include full liberalisation of the energy markets and pushing for stability in the west Balkans which he described as an “unfinished story.”

“The most pressing issue is security in Kosovo but we also should not let Serbia slide into the past,” said Sencar, who is  experienced in EU affairs and has been Slovenia’s ambassador to the EU since August 2005.

“Stability in the region is of interest to us all and it is important the EU takes a lead.”

He went on, “The renewed Lisbon agenda for jobs and growth and intercultural dialogue are other priorities.”

Slovenia is the first of the new member states which joined the EU in 2004 to assume the presidency. Assuming the reform treaty is ratified, it will also be one of the last of the six-month rotating presidencies.

The breakfast policy briefing was organised by the European Policy Centre.

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