As part of the preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2008, the Core Group for the EU Presidency headed by Prime Minister Janša convened today. Sub-groups responsible for the preparation and implementation of the key tasks for the presidency presented their work and proposed resolutions for future activities.

 

PHOTO: Office of the Prime minister

 

The Presidency Programme Sub-group briefed the Core Group on the so-called inherited agenda, i.e. the selection of topics that could be listed on the EU's agenda during Slovenia's presidency. The overview of these topics is the basis for preparing an eighteen-month programme for the 'trio' (Germany, Portugal, Slovenia). The joint programme is to be finalised during the next coordination stages between the countries' capitals and the General Secretariat of the EU Council.

 

The Core group members discussed a proposed calendar of events involving third countries, and agreed on the number of informal ministerials. There will be nine informall ministerials, eight of which will be held in Slovenia and one in Brussels.

 

The Core Group was also presented with the proposals for Slovenia's corporate identity, which will be officially presented one month prior to the beginning of its tenure, as has been the custom. The next session of the Core Group is expected to be held before the summer break, in July.