NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor at European Council meeting

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is attending the meeting of the European Council today and on Friday, the agenda of which focuses on institutional issues of the European Union and combating climate change. The heads of government are also about to discuss the economic and financial situation and employment issues. Other matters to be briefly addressed will be illegal immigration and topical foreign policy themes.
 

(Foto: Wiktor Dabkowski)

 
During the discussion on climate change, Mr Pahor advocated a single EU position at the December UN climate conference in Copenhagen and emphasised the necessity of adopting a comprehensive agreement on this occasion that would also resolve the issue of financing. Those countries which produce higher greenhouse gas emissions should correspondingly contribute more funds to assist developing countries in ameliorating the effects of climate change. In Slovenia's opinion, the distribution of the EU contribution should reflect existing commitments in EU external actions.
 

(Foto: Thierry Monasse/STA)

 
The Slovenian Prime Minister is also in favour of an early completion of the Lisbon Treaty ratification process, if possible by the end of 2009. The solution regarding the Czech demands should not result in re-opening discussions on the Treaty, while the assurances given to the Czech Republic should be of a general nature.
 
On the margins of the European Council meeting, Prime Minister Pahor held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts. Among others, he briefly met with the current EC President, Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates. 
 

(Foto: Thierry Monasse/STA)

 
Before the EC meeting, Mr Pahor met with prime ministers of the Visegrad Group. They exchanged views on central topics of the European Council meeting, i.e. institutional issues and funding the combating of climate change.