With the beginning of 2008, the European Union is entering a new
era. We have signed a new treaty, expanded the Eurozone and the
Schengen area, and increased the number of employed people by 3.5
million. After the latest round of EU enlargement we also mark the
first time that a new member is taking over the presidency of the
Council of the EU.
Within the frame of the 18-month program of the presiding trio –
Germany, Portugal and Slovenia – Slovenia has drafted its own
six-month agenda, with several key objectives, which include:
successful ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, progress in
discussions on energy, and climate change policies, initiation of a
new round of the Lisbon strategy dealing with economic growth and
employment, further extension of the EU, its neighboring policies
and the intercultural dialogue. In the past three years Slovenia
went through intensive preparations for the presidency, so we are
aware that the challenge is huge, but we are ready and prepared to
face it.
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty remains the primary
political task. The signing of this treaty was a result of
successful negotiations, which involved all the member states and
proved they can work together efficiently in order to reach
important common goals. In this process the EU Commission and the
EU Parliament have had crucial roles. Compared with the present
practice, the new treaty brings several new proposals when it comes
to adopting decisions.
National parliaments and the European Parliament will play a
more significant role and there will be more common policy in
jurisdiction, interior affairs, environment, international crisis
management and energy.
The new treaty also brings further democratization of the EU.
Further steps for achieving better efficiency have been taken and
the new EU Council will now use a qualified majority system for its
decision-making.
Another important practice being introduced is the institution
of a president of the Council of the EU who will be elected for a
mandate of two-and-a-half years, with a possibility to run for a
re-election. With the institution of the High Representative a new
arrangement is also set to be implemented in the field of foreign
and security policy, possibly finally providing an answer to the
now famous question "Whom do I call when I want to speak to
Europe?" posed by Henry Kissinger.
Slovenia will do its best to contribute to the successful
ratification of the new treaty, which should be completed by the
end of the year. Another big task will be to acquaint the EU
citizens with the main ideas and intentions of the treaty and thus
hopefully dispel lingering fears and doubts some may have had
regarding the new vision of deepening within the EU structure. In
relation to the international community the EU wants and intends to
act as one united player, especially when tackling important issues
concerning regional and global stability and security.
This practice will prove itself crucial, especially in our
relations with important international partners such as China. We
believe in developing good and constructive relations between the
EU and China and base our confidence to do this successfully on the
fact that since 1992, when diplomatic relations were established
our bilateral relations have been friendly and have been
strengthening continuously.
We have established many channels of regular cooperation and
exchanged a number of visits on different levels, including
governmental and provincial officials, businessmen, artists,
scientists, students and others.
Although Slovenia and China are contrasting by size, our
relations have been and are open in many directions. Slovenia is
aware of China's growing international importance and pays genuine
attention to its role in the modern world. Both of our countries
have been witnessing successful development during the years of
established relations. China has achieved remarkable results in its
reform and opening up and will host the Olympic Games this year for
the first time, while Slovenia has become a respected international
player and holds the presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time.
In relation to China, our goal in the capacity of the EU
presidency will be to search for a balanced approach in the fields
of politics, economy and others and to fulfill the interests of
both sides in the best possible way.
The main priorities are as follows: strengthening the
established strategic dialogue mechanism; enhancing the framework
of comprehensive bilateral relations; continuing to work with China
when addressing major international issues; improving overall
bilateral trade and investment relations; beginning the High-Level
Economic and Trade Dialogue, cooperating with China when addressing
energy and climate change issues; strengthening the mechanism of
the Human Rights Dialogue and preparing for the 7th ASEM Summit and
the Olympic Games.
We also intend to make further efforts in strengthening the
knowledge and understanding of the EU among the Chinese people.
With this in mind we plan to organize meetings and forums with
Chinese students, which will be especially important since EU hosts
the largest share of Chinese students studying abroad.
In April we intend to organize a social event called "Diplomats
Running for Peace and Friendship" and we hope to attract many
foreign and Chinese friends and, at the same time, mark the 100-day
countdown to the Olympic Games.
Europe is also well known for its "wine culture", which, apart
from drinking includes specific food and even social rituals which
we would like to present to the Chinese public in the frame of the
27 EU member states and the EU Commission.
The EU and China are major trade partners. We have developed
comprehensive cooperation in the field of science and technology,
cultural exchange has been strengthening intensively and tourists
from both countries now travel both ways much more frequently than
they have in the past. All this proves that we are closely
connected and as the bilateral relations between Slovenia and China
are also very good, they will provide a solid foundation for
further strengthening of the EU-China strategic partnership.
(China Daily January 30, 2008)
