On 17 July 2008, the General Assembly adopted Declaration on Activities of the Republic of Slovenia in the Institutions of the European Union for the period July 2008–December 2008. The document defines Slovenia’s key priorities in the field of European affairs until the end of 2009, in particular regarding tasks and activities within the framework of the Council of the EU and the European Council.

The document consists of two parts: Declaration on Activities of the Republic of Slovenia in the Institutions of the European Union for the period July 2008–December 2008 and Priorities for work in the EU Council for the period July 2008–December 2008. The first part covers Slovenia’s core political priorities and summarizes Slovenia’s main activities in the EU. The second part of the document sets out wider sectoral priorities in more detail, according to individual fields or Council configurations. It represents the progression of the general political orientations presented in the first part.

The Declaration highlights the following strategic issues of key importance for Slovenia: development of the Union; the Union’s measures for long-term life quality and security; and an active role for the Union in a globalised world.

Priorities for work in the EU Council constitutes a support document to the Declaration, thereby bringing Slovenian key political orientations to a more operational level. The document further develops Slovenian views on individual proposals to be discussed within the Council, in accordance with the Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme for 2008 and the 18-month Presidency Programme of France, the Czech Republic and Sweden.

Among the most important issues which are expected to be discussed by the EU Council in the period July 2008–December 2009 are following areas: development of the European Union; integrated climate and energy policy; growth and jobs; macroeconomic issues; competitiveness; research, development and innovation; employment and social policy; gender equality and non-discrimination; health and consumer protection; culture and audiovisual issues; sustainable development; environment; transport; agriculture and fisheries; structural and cohesion policy; the area of freedom, security and justice; and external relations.

In accordance with the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and Government in EU Affairs, the National Assembly holds a discussion on the situation in the European Union and Slovenia position therein, at least once a year. This debate includes an introductory presentation by the Prime Minister, and is followed by the National Assembly adopting positions on the political orientations for Slovenia’s activity in the EU institutions in the upcoming period. The Government submits a written document to be discussed by the National Assembly, based on the Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme and the 18-month Trio Presidency Programme.

Documents:

Declaration on Activities of the Republic of Slovenia in the Institutions of the European Union in the period July 2008–December 2009, adopted at the extraordinary session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, 17 July 2008

The Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme for 2008.

Archive of Documents

Contacts:

Coordination II Department

Petra Česen Čatar

t: 01 478 2402

f: 01 478 2486

e: petra.cesen-catar(at)gov.si

Coordination I Department

Petra Draušbaher Krušič

t: 01 478 2480

f: 01 478 2486

e: petra.drausbaher-krusic(at)gov.si