The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, today held a meeting with a delegation of representatives of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). The Bishop of Celje, Dr Anton Stress, and the Bishop of Evangelical Church in Slovenia, Mr Geza Erniša, also took part in the delegation in their capacity as the Slovenian representatives of the aforementioned European church structures.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

The talks focused on the exchange of views on topical issues on the European policy agenda. The Prime Minister outlined the priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, one of them also being to promote dialogue between different cultures, religions and beliefs. They all agreed how important it was to encourage this type of dialogue, especially in the Western Balkan region, where the situation has been particularly sensitive in recent days.

 

Representatives of COMECE and CEC evaluated positively the priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency. They outlined their views on the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy and on individual issues pertaining to the EU policy on migration and asylum. They expressed hope that the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty, which also provides the legal basis for regular dialogue between the EU and the churches and religious communities in Europe, would be successfully completed as soon as possible. They also expressed their satisfaction with the summit scheduled to be held with religious leaders in Europe during the Slovenian EU Council Presidency at the beginning of May in Brussels.