This morning, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, met a group of 60 members of the European press corps in Brussels, who are currently visiting Slovenia. Mr Janša outlined the priority tasks of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, stressing that Slovenia had prepared itself thoroughly to handle the issues, organisation and logistics to carry out the project successfully.  According to the Prime Minister, the Slovenes have sufficient knowledge and experience to justify their looking forward optimistically to a successful conclusion of the Presidency.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

The Brussels journalists asked the Prime Minister a number of questions, mostly relating to the situation in the Western Balkans, the future status of Kosovo and the role of the European Union in this matter. Mr Janša stressed that Kosovo was primarily a European issue; the EU must therefore assume a leading role and demonstrate its commitment to, and responsibility for, the further stabilisation of Kosovo and the entire region.

 

It has become common practice in recent years for the visit by the European media’s Brussels correspondents to coincide with the meeting between the Government holding the EU Council Presidency and the European Commission. In keeping with this tradition, the Slovenian Presidency has invited the Brussels press corps to Slovenia in order for them to meet various ministers and other officials, to get to know Slovenia better and to acquaint themselves with the details of the programme of Slovenia’s EU Council Presidency.