ENLARGEMENT

KOSOVO

1.   The Western Balkans is one of the Presidency's priorities. Kosovo is expected to be a thorny issue in the coming months. What actions does the Slovenian Presidency plan to take if the Kosovo Parliament declares independence?

—  We see Kosovo as a European problem that needs a sustainable solution that should contribute to the regional stability. We will act following the guidelines contained in the European Council conclusions of 14 December.

—  The aim of the EU is a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo, contributing to regional cooperation and stability, on the basis of good neighbourly relations. It will be of a key importance to ensure that Kosovo remains committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage, but also to the international presence, which would supervise and oversee the authorities under the conditions of the new status.

—  If/when independence is declared the EU must ensure stability and security in Kosovo. ESDP Mission is going to play a vital part in that.

SRBIJA

2.   On Monday 28 January the Council discussed the possible signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia. Do you think that the results of the first round of the Presidential elections in Serbia (on Sunday 20 January) had a bearing on the Council's decision taken on Monday? What is the Slovenian Presidency's strategy vis-a"-vis Serbia and its road towards EU membership?

—  It is clear that the EU will respect free and fair elections in Serbia.

—  We have expressed our hope that the outcome of the second round of the Presidential elections will strengthen the reform and pro-European oriented forces in Serbia.

—  The Presidency is ready to support Serbia on her European course.

—  We are confident that the entry into force of the Visa facilitation and readmission agreement between the EU and Serbia (1 January 2008) and the launch of the visa dialogue (foreseen for 30 January) will increase EU visibility in Serbia and support Serbia's European vocation.

—  The EU will continue to strongly encourage Serbia to create the conditions necessary for a rapid signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and leading towards the candidate status. It is in the hands of Serbia to fulfill these conditions.

  GAERC yesterday proposed a Political Agreement on co-operation between EU and Serbia, providing a framework for making progress on political dialogue, free trade, visa liberalisation and educational co-operation, to be signed 7 February.

HRVAšKA

3.   What is your position on Croatia's membership of the EU? Your relationship with Croatia has, to some extent, been defined by disagreements over maritime areas and fishing rights ever since the break-up of Yugoslavia. How far have the two countries gone to resolve these issues?

—  Croatia's future is in the EU. During our Presidency, Slovenia will try to reach overall progress in the Croatian negotiation process.

—  However, much more has to be done especially in the fields of judicial and administrative reforms, the fight against corruption, minority rights and refugee return in order to meet the accession criteria.

—  Furthermore, Croatia has to make more efforts towards good neighbourly relations and enhance efforts to find definitive solutions to all pending bilateral issues with all of its neighbours, among them those referring to the border issues.

—  The latest developments regarding the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone show that Croatia does not honour its assumed EU commitments. In this case Croatia has been acting contrary to the EU documents, including the December 2007 GAERC conclusion. We are ready for the talk under the condition Croatia suspends the application of the Zone to EU Member States. We agree with the Commission that if this issue remains unresolved, it will have negative consequences on the accession negotiations.

LISBON STRATEGY

4.   The second cycle of the Lisbon Strategy will be launched at the Spring European Council. The Presidency has stated that "the Strategy is starting to deliver benefits in terms of increased jobs and growth" and that more focus will be dedicated to implementation. Could you offer an outline of the benefits that the Lisbon Strategy has produced so far and what you plan to do during your six months at the helm to promote the goals of the Strategy as set out in the four priority areas of the Lisbon Strategy (investment in research, knowledge and innovation, development of a competitive business environment, adaptation of labour market and response to demographic challenges, as well as energy policy and climate change)?

—  The strategic report on Lisbon Strategy issued in December 2007 reports significant success achieved at EU level:

—  economic growth (EU average) reached 2.9% in 2007;

—  in the last two years almost 6.5 million new jobs have been created, with a prospect of another 5 million to be created by 2009;

—  unemployment (EU average) is expected to fall to under 7%, the lowest level since the mid-80's. The employment rate is currently at 66% and is moving in direction of overall Lisbon target of 70%.

—  All the above mentioned success is not only cyclical but also due to structural changes that were caused by Lisbon reforms.

—  During the next six months Slovenia will focus on the content that best corresponds to the challenges of globalization which the EU has to confront.

  In Research, Development and Innovation: Slovenia will stress the following issues:

—  Innovativeness—creation and use of knowledge: European Research Area—ERA, Joint Technology Initiatives—JTI, European Institute of Technology—EIT.

—  Development of world class research infrastructure with the connection of financial means of research programmes: 7th FP (Framework Programme for Research and Technology), CIP (Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme), structural funds and national resources.

—  Openness of research infrastructure for SMEs (in this respect we will work on EuroSTARS, the initiative based on article 169).

  EuroSTARS—The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to SMEs. Eurostars will stimulate them to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.

  A Eurostars project is a European research and development project. It can address any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service. A Eurostars project is collaborative, meaning it must involve at least two participants (legal entities) from two different Eurostars participating countries. In addition, the main participant must be a research-performing SME from one of these countries.

—  Include other neighbouring regions: Western Balkans. We propose a special award (named Herman Potočnik Noordung—the event will take place in June) for donation of research equipment.

—  European Institute of Technology (EIT) —Slovenia will the dossier forward the implementation. We do not want delays in the implementation stage.

—  Development of European Research Area (ERA) —Slovenia will be dealing with defined implementation acts for establishment of ERA, especially in the given areas:

—  EC Communication on Partnership for a European researchers' passport for mobility and career development.

—  EU Charter for Intellectual Property management by public research institutions.

  In terms of enhancing competitiveness of the EU: Slovenia will stress the following issues:

(a)  Entrepreneurship and industrial policy

SMEs and growth support in order to allow them to develop their potential. Enough has been made for the start-ups thus it is time to go forward. In this respect we will focus on access to financing (venture capital) and access to clusters as one of the means of access of SMEs to research infrastructure.

(b)  Better Regulation

Continuation of activities for reduction of administrative burdens and faster simplification procedure.

—  First strategic report on progress of better regulation (January/February 2008) will bring progress report on reduction of administrative burden for 25% until 2012 and progress report on impact assessment; Spring European Council 2008 will be reporting on progress made.

(c)  Internal market

—  Slovenia will promote an active approach to Internal Market policy which empowers consumers and delivers concrete results for EU citizens.

—  Internal Market Review on future internal market policy will be included into Spring European Council Conclusions 2008.

—  Technical dossiers (so called goods package)—on these dossiers Slovenia can deliver good results: we could finish them in first reading.

  The harmonisation of technical requirements for products at EU level has proven to be the optimal means for the elimination of technical obstacles to trade. In this respect, the directives of the "new approach" play an important role in the creation of the internal market, as they include the majority of products marketed in more than 20 industrial sectors across the EU. The "new approach" concept is based on mutual trust between all parties, so the new regulation ensuring a common and transparent legal framework for accreditation and market control will strengthen the mutual trust of the parties. It should also be pointed out that small and medium-sized enterprises will profit from the regulation, as it will ensure a more favourable legal framework for their operation.

(d)  Intellectual property

—  The Slovene Presidency will prioritize finding a solution to the patent litigation.

  In the field of labour market we will focus on modernizing the social model:

  We have identified three key topics in the scope of employment and social policy issues within the Lisbon strategy:

—  First is the link of the new flexicurity concept with youth issues. We would like to look for the ways of practical implementation of the flexicurity strategies in order to improve the economic and social position of young people.

—  Second is further modernization of the European social model. This will be taken in the context of the upcoming Social Reality Stocktaking report which will be a snapshot of Europe's changing social reality, examining social trends and their implications and drawing out key issues and challenges for Europe at all levels of governance. It will also contribute to the mid term review of the social policy agenda.

—  The third are the demographic changes which we are facing in the scope that we have not witnessed before. Within this we are planning to give special emphasis to intergenerational solidarity.

INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE

5.   One of the priorities of your Presidency is the promotion of the dialogue between cultures, beliefs and traditions in the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. What plans does the Slovenian Presidency have for EU action in this area? How does the Slovenian Presidency intend to promote intercultural dialogue with the Western Balkans? Will your initiatives in this area be complementary to, and coordinated with, similar activities undertaken in the framework of the United Nations?

—  The idea behind the intercultural dialogue is promotion of a dialogue between cultures, beliefs and traditions, in particular with the countries of the Western Balkans.

—  Coexistence and cooperation in diversity is the key element for freedom, peace and prosperity, especially in the Western Balkans region.

—  The Presidency's activities are closely linked to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. They comprise among others a multitude of events, projects, people-to-people contacts, workshops and fora.

—  To include the civil society has been an important element of the Presidency's strategy. In this context the Presidency closely coordinates its activities with the relevant European and international actors, inter alia with the UNESCO and other bodies of the United Nations.

6.   Your Prime Minister has said the Barcelona Process (Euro-Mediterranean partnership) must be strengthened: how? We were interested to learn that a special Slovenian contribution in relation to intercultural dialogue will consist of an initiative to establish a Euro-Mediterranean University in the city of Piran. What will be the objectives of the university? Do you see a role for it in building closer ties between the EU and its partners around the Mediterranean in the field of higher education?

—  The Barcelona Process, being at the centre of EU relations with the Mediterranean countries, is evolving in content and growing in membership incessantly striving for a better life for people in the Mediterranean.

—  Following the programme for Slovenia will—among other events on important issues—organise three EuroMed ministerial meetings, namely: on information society (Egypt, 26-27 February), on tourism (Morocco, 3-4 April), and on culture and cultural dialogue (Greece, 29-30 May).

—  As the Barcelona Process is a comprehensive, holistic partnership it is sometimes faced with certain impediments. Initiatives at subregional level or focused on a topic (such as Dialogue 5+5 (Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia + Spain, France, Malta, Italy, Portugal), Foromed (Members: Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey), etc.)—while taking into account the already existing forms of cooperation and institutions—can help develop a certain aspect which in return has a positive impact on the partnership as a whole. The Slovenian Presidency is following the evolvement of these and other initiatives in view of strengthening the political, economic and cultural ties between the EuroMed countries.

—  The year 2008 is also the EuroMed year of dialogue between cultures and in this context the Slovenian government ascribes great significance to the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean University with its seat in Slovenia.

—  The main reason for establishing such an international institution is the need for the convergence of European, Islamic and other cultures by drawing inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of the Euro-Mediterranean area, and to provide support for all three pillars of the Barcelona Process.

—  It is expected that the University will operate and play a role of utmost importance within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy, not just as a "course-provider" but also as a meeting point for all the students, professors and experts of the region.

—  Further activities are underway and the solemn inauguration of the Euro-Mediterranean University is planned for 9-10 June 2008 in Slovenia.

  The Euro-Mediterranean University will primarily be an international institution for postgraduate studies and research projects focused on Mediterranean themes:

—  immigration and security;

—  logistic management and transportation;

—  the Euro-Mediterranean economy and foreign trade;

—  knowledge management;

—  the history of the Mediterranean and intercultural dialogue;

—  tourism and the management of cultural destinations;

—  environmental sciences;

—  agriculture and fisheries;

—  sustainable development; and

—  legal sciences (international law, law of the sea).

ENERGY/CLIMATE CHANGE

7.   Your government has indicated that the energy and climate change agenda is one of the four priorities for its Presidency. The Commission published its energy and climate change package last Wednesday (23 January). Press reports suggest that Member States have already lobbied the Commission a lot on this package, focusing notably on the level of targets for renewables, which suggests that the package is not in for an easy ride through the European institutions. What progress do you foresee that you may be able to achieve on this package during your Presidency?

—  The Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council welcomes the presentation of the climate and energy package by the European Commission. The legislative package has been eagerly awaited. It aims to translate into practice the European Union's political commitment, as undertaken by EU leaders last March, to turn Europe into a low-carbon, highly energy-efficient economy.

—  The Slovenian Presidency will study the package very carefully and start a debate on it at all levels straight away, with the aim of arriving at a framework for future work and obtaining the first tangible results of the debate as soon as possible.

—  We are counting on the constructive approach and support of the Member States and the European Parliament leading to final adoption of the package by spring 2009 at the latest.

JUSTICE

8.   What are the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the areas of civil and criminal justice?

E-JUSTICE

—  E-justice is a common priority of the trio and one of the top priorities during the Slovenian Presidency in the field of judicial cooperation.

—  We will continue the work achieved during the Portuguese Presidency on the architecture of E-justice portal.

—  We will endeavour to create conditions for interoperability of existing electronic registers.

—  As a matter of priority, we will concentrate on achieving progress in making video-conferencing operational among Member States. We will work on creating conditions for networking of land registers.

—  We hope to start the preparations for the use of IT for the European payment procedure.

MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS REGULATION PROPOSAL

—  The proposal is one of the main priorities of the Slovene Presidency.

—  Slovenia aims to achieve as much progress as possible and to reach agreement on many chapters of the Regulation.

—  The Slovene Presidency will endeavour to solve the open questions, in particularly the application of the Regulation and the inclusion of the protocol of applicable law into the Regulation.

ROME III—MATRIMONIAL MATTERS

—  During the Presidency, Slovenia will strive to solve certain open questions (the non-application of foreign law, conflict of law rules, bilateral and multilateral agreements).

—  Since Rome III is a very short regulation, Slovenia will endeavour to finalise it on the June Council.

ENFORCEMENT OF IN ABSENTIA JUDGEMENTS

—  The framework decision on the enforcement of in absentia judgements will be one of the top priorities in judicial cooperation during the Slovenian Presidency.

—  With this initiative, Slovenia endeavours to upgrade and improve the existing instruments of cooperation between the Member States and their implementation.

—  We will strive to achieve the general approach in the Council and, by the end of the Slovenian Presidency, we hope to achieve the adoption of the act.

FUTURE OF EUROJUST (AMENDMENTS TO THE DECISION ON EUROJUST)

—  The Union's cooperation in criminal matters has developed considerably since the creation of Eurojust and will continue to evolve in the future.

—  In this regard, the structure, its organisation as well as the competences of Eurojust need to be adapted to the increased European judicial area and to a changed legal framework for that area.

—  The Future of Eurojust initiative will be one of the priorities during the Slovenian Presidency and we will strive to make significant progress.

—  The work of the Slovenian Presidency will focus on upgrading the existing legal base for the functioning of Eurojust and harmonising the competences (equalising them) of national members.

PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH CRIMINAL LAW

—  The cross-border element of environmental crime calls for firm Community action. Therefore the Directive is of particular importance for efficient protection of the environment on Community level.

—  The procedure for the adoption of the directive is co-decision; therefore the status of the directive during the Slovenian presidency depends also on the outcome of the discussions in the EP.

—  Slovenia will strive to reach the political agreement in the Council in February 2008 and will endeavour to attain the adoption in the first reading.

EXTERNAL BORDER PROTECTION

9.   We note the Presidency's JHA programme emphasises ensuring extensive debates and broad discussions on the use of modern technology and information systems in the area of border security (EU Surveillance System, entry/exit system, registered traveller programme). How will the Presidency ensure that national parliaments and the wider public are fully involved in these discussions?

—  The Slovenian Presidency is looking forward to three Communications on these topics to be published by the Commission until the end of February.

—  These are: FRONTEX, a entry/exit system, a border surveillance system.

—  They will represent the basis for the discussion to be held at the ministerial conference on the EU External Border in March. We hope that the discussions there will result with many useful recommendations and eventually pave the way for further work:

—  to prepare Council conclusions providing political guidelines; as well as

—  to note the opinions of the legislative institutions (European and national parliaments) performing democratic control over the work of the Council.

LEGAL MIGRATION

10.   How does the Presidency intend to take forward the Commission proposals on the EU blue card system for highly skilled workers and on a common set of rights for third country workers? Does it see these proposals as interlinked and will negotiations proceed in parallel? What does the Presidency see as the main challenges with regard to these proposals?

—  This month, we have launched a discussion in the Council.

—  Slovenia welcomes the so-called "EU blue card" and believes it will make Europe a more attractive work destination for highly qualified workers.

—  During our Presidency we shall launch a discussion on the framework Directive on a common set of rights for third-country. We intend to complete the first reading at the expert level by June, drawing up a list of issues that are simple and a list of issues that are problematic. On such a basis, France will be able to start serious negotiations between the Member States and the Parliament on possible final solutions.

—  Negotiations will proceed in parallel in WG Migration; the emphasis will be on highly skilled workers.

—  The main challenge of these proposals is to find the right set of rights of third-country workers to ensure their equal treatment and facilitate their mobility in the labour market.

SOCIAL POLICY

11.   There has been criticism in some quarters that the Presidency is low on social priorities. Is this justified?

—  This is not justified because Slovenia will be very active in this area and will concentrate its endeavours within four pillars:

1.  Within the first pillar, relating to the labour market and employment, particular emphasis will be placed on the Lisbon Strategy:

—  The efficient and timely preparation of the next cycle of the Strategy; strive to ensure that the revised Employment guidelines take demographic challenges and the principle of flexicurity into account and give more prominence to social considerations.

—  Flexicurity: continue discussion on flexicurity and focus on the implementation and enforcement of the common principles of flexicurity at the national level.

—  Employment: particular attention on young people and their position in the labour market and society; identify measures to reduce unemployment among young people and ensure their security and stability.

2.   Social issues:

—  Achieving maximum progress on the Directive on Supplementary pension rights. Possible agreement in the Council would be a major success for the Slovenian Presidency.

—  Achieving progress in the coordination of social security systems.

—  Preparation of a new cycle of the open method of coordination in the areas of social protection and social inclusion (adoption of a Decision designating 2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion).

—  Establishing a consistent European framework for social services that will take account of and respect national traditions and will lead to improved accessibility and quality of these services.

3.   Demography:

—  Reinforcing new forms of solidarity between generations. Living together with respect for all generations is of prime importance when it comes to addressing the challenges of the 21st century. A particular example of this is the provision of high-quality, accessible long-term care.

4.   Equal opportunities:

—  Further step up activities aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities; particular attention to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

LISBON TREATY

12.   What assessment has the Presidency made of the work required to ensure that the EU's institutions are adequately prepared for the changes set out in the Lisbon Treaty? How will the Presidency ensure that any work required will be completed to schedule?

—  The Presidency has identified issues in the context of preparatory work on the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon so that the European Union and its institutions could smoothly continue to function after the successful conclusion of the ratification processes in all Member States.

—  At the same instant the necessary preparatory work has already commenced covering primarily the technical aspects of the changes in the Treaty of Lisbon.

—  However it is necessary to emphasise this is a process going throughout 2008.

—  It will be conducted under direct supervision of the European Council and within a single framework. Permanent representatives have therefore already started examining the technical and legal aspects regarding the implementation.