EU – Baltic States

Trio-team Presidency

In September 2006 the decision of the Council of the European Union introduced an important new “procedural rule” establishing the so-called “trio-term Presidency” lasting 18 months. It meant that the member states will still hold half a year presidency, however the general 1.5 year program of Council activities would be common. Thus Germany together with Portugal and Slovenia elaborated for the December Council in 2006 a joint program for the period stretching to the mid-2008.  

The purpose of such cooperation was to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work and implementation of its joint aims and working programs. The “trio-partners” agreed to work closer together during these 18 months enhancing cooperation on the EU’s most central issues. At the same time this arrangement could definitely assist Slovenia in making and delivering its own program.

Priorities

Among five Presidency’s priorities approved by the Council, two have been of particular importance. First, will be combating climate change, in line with the Commission proposal of 23 January 2008, second key one will be that of growth and jobs; this strategy’s next cycle will be discussed at Council’s spring summit on 13-14 March 2008 (the strategy was re-launched in 2005).

Commission’s president Barroso underlined that Slovenia’s presidency is crucial to deliver on the trio-team shared commitments; they are to be central for discussions at March and June European summits.

Besides the mentioned two priority items, Slovenian presidency will concentrate on the successful completion and ratification procedures to allow the newly adopted Lisbon Treaty enter into force before the next EP’s elections in 2009. Slovenia wants to show a good example for other Member states by ratifying it at the beginning of 2008.

Intercultural dialogue

As 2008 has been proclaimed the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Slovenian presidency will strive to strengthen intercultural dialogue in the EU. It will take initiatives in promoting intercultural dialogue both in the Union and in the Western Balkans alike. A special country’s contribution will be establishing a Euro-Mediterranean University in the city of Piran.