MEPs speak out on Slovenian EU presidency

The Irish rejection of the Lisbon treaty was the toughest challenge the Slovenians had to face, according to several European deputies. Here, they sum up for TheParliament.com what Slovenia did for the EU in the last six months.

Graham Watson, chair of the ALDE group
“Eurocrat wisdom dictates that small presidencies are good presidencies. In the case of Slovenia that wisdom broadly holds. There were disappointments of course.

“It was Slovenia's misfortune, but not its responsibility, that the Irish no vote on the Lisbon treaty occurred on its watch, and some of us regret that so little progress has yet been made on the climate change package put forward by the commission in January.

“It is important to acknowledge, however, that while presidencies can help clear a path to agreement, they cannot compel reluctant member states to go down it. But I believe that the Slovenian presidency will be remembered for laying the foundations of greater normalisation and integration in Europe's western Balkan states.

“Perhaps helped by their own regional insights, Slovenia oversaw the signing of historic Stabilisation and Association Agreements with Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In addition, a dialogue on visa liberalisation with Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina was launched. These developments made less of a news splash than the recent capture of Radovan Karadzic, but they may in fact be directly related to it. Regardless, they are essential to the future peace and prosperity of Europe's Balkan region.”


Ljudmila Novak, a Slovenian EPP-ED deputy
“I am honoured and proud that it was my country that first took the chair of the rotating presidency of the council of the EU among the central and east European member states, and to my opinion, concluded it with a very high mark.

“Slovenia proved that with hard work and good preparation, even a small and relatively young country with little experience on the international stage, can successfully preside and navigate the agenda and politics of the EU.

“Slovenia made very good progress in all priority areas. The two main achievements are the successful conclusion of the Galileo dossier and the preparation of necessary ground for a successful launch of a new cycle of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.

“Furthermore, progress has been made in plans for tackling energy and climate challenges. Another of its priorities was the western Balkans, where it has held substantive negotiations with the countries in the region and played and important role in solving the problems of Kosovo and Serbia. Kosovo became an independent state and Serbia signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.

“With encouragement of the dialogue between different cultures, religions and countries, the Slovenian presidency has made a big contribution to a so far successful year of intercultural dialogue.

“Despite the negative outcome of the Irish referendum, which can be seen as a disappointment – although Slovenia could hardly have influenced it – many member states have ratified the Lisbon treaty during the first half of this year and the ratification in other member states continues.”


Ryszard Czarnecki, a member of the UEN group
“The Slovenian presidency was a historical presidency in the EU because it was the first time a new EU member state presided.

“Slovenia was well prepared to lead Europe. It was a huge organisational challenge for Slovenia, so the ambassadors and representatives of the French Republic, as the next member state at the EU’s helm, supported and represented the Slovenian presidency.

“It was not a turning point presidency, but rather a continuance. Slovenia gave good material and experience for the next new countries to take the reins.”


Mieczyslaw Janowski, Polish MEP for the UEN group
“I was very curious what the Slovenian presidency would be like. This little country seems very trustworthy and proves its real class, even though it has only 2 million inhabitants and has been a member of the EU since only May 2004.

“It was a hard task for Slovenia to face, presiding over the whole community. I am aware that the European spirit of joint cooperation had built trust and that was why Slovenia was then charged with the task of directing the council.

“Today, after this presidency, we can say that the last obstacles to Schengen have been abolished. We can also say that the decision to accept Slovakia to the Eurozone has been made; that 2008 was the year of intercultural dialogue, and last but not least, that finally a solution to Kosovo has been found.

“Also actions providing help for SMEs, analysing other issues of domestic markets, and reducing bureaucracy limiting trade have been noticed.

“We should not forget that Slovenia had been tied with Germany and Portugal as a result of the troika programme. They also felt the power of succeeding France. In this matter Slovenia's PM Janez Jansza can proudly say to his fellow countrymen, ‘We passed the exam, we did not fail’. Therefore I would like to thank and congratulate our Slovenian friends.”


Inese Vaidere, a UEN deputy for Latvia
“The Slovenian presidency occurred during a rather hard time in the world’s political and economic situation.

“On the one hand, during these six months there have been several world economic difficulties – on finance, energy and food. On the other, this period was related to the process of the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, where Slovenia could play a more important role.

“The most unpleasant fact is that the parliaments in only 23 member states have ratified The Lisbon treaty and it is not leading to the development of the EU’s enlargement.

“While important progress has been achieved through a comprehensive European migration policy, in particular on the development of an integrated border management strategy and the enhancement of cooperation with third countries, there is still the need for further development and strategic aims should be strengthened as soon as possible.

“The progress between the EU and Russia on partnership issues has been a bit disappointing. Russia’s concerns dominated the summit, the aim to form a short-term commitment proclaims it, although the EU is interested in the development of detailed and qualitative bona fide convention.

“The revitalisation of politics in the Mediterranean region can be evaluated fairly positively, but yet there are a lot of unfinished challenges for the new French presidency.”

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