In the afternoon, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, attended the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum, held for the third time, entitled “Energy and Climate Change: Si.nergy for the Future”. He took part in a debate on the topic of strategic challenges of climate change and energy security. In his opening address, he said that Europe was preparing to increase diversification of energy resources.  That is why energy security was one of the top priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, which agreed on the goals but differed on the measures for their implementation. The latter, as Mr Janša said, will constitute a challenge for the French and Czech Presidencies.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulović/Bobo)

 

In the debate, in which the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mirek Topolánek, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Ivars Godmanis, and the former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Wolfgang Schüssel, also participated, Prime Minister Janez Janša pointed out that synergy between energy security and climate change represented a strong incentive for structural changes in Europe, which is also key to reforming the EU. The reform will have a considerable impact on different areas, creating social and economic possibilities for generating profits and creating new jobs. By 2050, renewable energy could provide as much as half of basic energy needs in Europe, and as much as 70% of electricity production in Europe could be generated from renewable sources.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulović/Bobo)

 

“Of course, it will take some time before we are able to rely entirely on a new generation of sources. That is why we should continue to make the best use of existing technologies that do not generate emissions, including nuclear technology,” maintained Prime Minister Janez Janša.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

At today’s Bled Strategic Forum, European leaders agreed that a common European policy was of vital importance if Europe wished to combat climate change effectively while ensuring energy security, and that other major emitters and energy consumers should be attracted to this policy too. “The European Union cannot resolve the issue of climate change alone, regardless of which objectives we set ourselves,” admitted the Slovenian Prime Minister, pointing out, in this respect, cooperation with the United States and China. Citing the example of Denmark, he stressed that economic growth could be ensured despite reduced energy consumption.