In Lisbon Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitrij Rupel attended the ceremony of signing new European agreement, so-called Lisbon agreement. 

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

After the Treaty was signed the PM said that Europe is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century. He highlighted globalisation, saying that we are going to shape it rather than adapt to it. Having signed the Treaty, Slovenia, as the next country to take on the EU Presidency, will be able to focus on the implementation of the second cycle of the revised Lisbon Strategy, environmental changes, and measures concerning all EU citizens, such as creating more jobs and better conditions for economic growth. One of Slovenia's goals is ratification of the Treaty and its implementation. In the PM's view, Slovenia will act as a model country in this respect.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

PM Janez Janša, who is attending the traditional European Council in Brussels tomorrow, also answered some questions for the press. Among other things, he denied that Slovenia was drawing up a special plan for Kosovo independently of the EU. "All the discussions and steps taken with regard to this issue were prepared in anticipation of full cooperation with the European Union and building consensus among member states," said the PM. The Council will be an opportunity to assess the current state of affairs, and then encourage the EU to take a more active approach to resolving the Kosovo issue. However, according to the PM, no concrete solutions are to be expected presently.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

Tomorrow the EU Heads of State and Government will also discuss the future of the EU and its role in the world, with Mr Janša presenting the challenges of the first half of 2008. In his words, Slovenia is well prepared. "We have received encouraging words and promises of support from the largest member states, which is to say that Slovenia, the first new member state to take over the Presidency, will enjoy support of those who have the most experience," said the Slovenian PM.