NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor: The Government adopted the proposal for re-appointment of Dr Potočnik to the European Commission

During the Government meeting today, Prime Minister Borut Pahor welcomed the current European Commissioner for Science and Research, Dr Janez Potočnik, and informed the media that the Government had adopted his proposal that Dr Potočnik be re-appointed as a member of the European Commission. The Government will inform the Slovenian ambassador at the Permanent Representation to the European Union of the decision and will submit Dr Potočnik's candidacy to the competent institutions.  The Government will also inform the National Assembly.
 

(Foto: Daniel Novakovič/STA)

 
Mr Pahor stressed that "Dr Janez Potočnik has performed his work as the European Commissioner for Science and Research with due diligence and has a well earned reputation which enables this Government to uniformly support his re-appointment" and explained that Dr Potočnik would not necessarily assume the same function in the new term of office. The Prime Minister added that there is a possibility that the president of the Commission will decide on changes, and in that case we will make every effort toward having the Slovenian candidate for Commissioner assume the role that best meets his professional preferences.
 
Mr Pahor congratulated Dr Potočnik on behalf of the Slovenian Government, to which Dr Potočnik responded by saying that he was honoured that Slovenia had proposed him as a member of the European Commission for the next term of office.  He added that Slovenia was maintaining its reputation as a Member State and that the country has clear interests and knows how to pursue them constructively in contributing to the common European interest. He further underlined that he himself would do his best to further this positive image.