Slovenia took the helm of the Council of the EU for the second time on 1 July 2021. During its six-month rotating presidency, Slovenia will shape its work programme on the 2019-2024 EU Strategic Agenda, that was adopted by the EU leaders in May 2019, while also taking into account the conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Slovenian EU Council Presidency also marks the end of the 18-month trio presidency comprised of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia.

Slovenia's EU Journey Revisited on its 30^th Anniversary of Independence

Slovenia, which took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time this year, previously assumed the six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2008. During its first Presidency, Slovenia carried out preparations for the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and worked to ensure stability in the Western Balkans with Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

2021 is a special year for Slovenia, not only because Slovenia assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time, but also because it celebrates the 30^th anniversary of its independence. While it had been part of a multinational state called Yugoslavia since its establishment in 1918, Slovenia gained its independence after the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991 and officially became the Republic of Slovenia. Slovenia, whose journey with the EU started with the "Cooperation Agreement" in 1993, started its EU membership negotiations in 1998 and finally became one of the ten new member states to join the EU in 2004.

The Main Priorities Set Out by the Slovenian Presidency

Under the motto of “Together. Resilient. Europe.”, Slovenia’s six-month work programme of the Presidency of the Council of the EU is based on four priorities: speeding up the EU’s resilience, recovery and strategic autonomy, discussing the future of the EU, strengthening the rule of law and European values and, ensuring security and stability in the European neighbourhood.

1. The resilience, recovery and strategic autonomy of the European Union

Slovenia has identified “strengthening the EU’s resilience” as one of its priorities due to the EU Member States’ failure in responding to the health crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Underlining the importance of “collective efforts” when dealing with crises, Slovenia pledges to focus on establishing a “European Health Union”, to strengthen the EU’s role and to equip the necessary tools, in order to protect the European population’s health.

The effective implementation of the New Generation EU instrument and the Recovery and Resilience Facility is one of the priorities set out by Slovenia to deal with the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slovenia also gives great importance to the green and digital transitions and wishes to accelerate these processes.  The Slovenian Presidency is committed to the climate-neutral EU by 2050 and the greenhouse emission reduction of at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It intends to take advantage of the COP26 to demonstrate the EU’s ambition and to persuade the other countries to take action swiftly.

Attaining digital sovereignty and addressing the challenges in digital transformation such as cyberattacks, the need to set new standards for digital services and goods, and the ethical use and development of AI in connection with big data are also prioritised by the Slovenian Council Presidency.

2. Conference on the Future of Europe

The Slovenian Council Presidency will give special attention to the Conference on the Future of Europe process by making sure that the debates about the future of the EU will be accessible to all. Slovenia will also act as a host for substantive discussions.

3. A union of the European way of life, the rule of law and equal criteria for all

During its Council Presidency, Slovenia will work to strengthen rule of law as one of the common European values. The Slovenian Presidency will initiate annual dialogue on the situation regarding the rule of law in both the EU and the Member States. It will also promote rule of law and facilitate an inclusive debate, which would allow the Member States to learn from each other.

Slovenia also points out the negative demographic trends in the EU as an important area to address during its Council Presidency.

4. A credible and secure European Union, capable of ensuring security and stability in its neighbourhood

With the support of the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Slovenian Presidency will work to strengthen the transatlantic ties and promote close cooperation with the US and NATO based on common principles, values, and interests.

Similar to its first Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2008, Slovenia identifies the Western Balkans as a priority area; particularly their future in Europe and the credible continuation of their EU enlargement process.  By cooperating with the countries of the region, Slovenian Presidency will work for their economic recovery as well as their effective implementation of green and digital transitions. To this end, Slovenia plans to host the EU-Western Balkans Summit in the autumn.

Finally, building a stronger, more robust, and fully functioning Schengen Area and making progress in the negotiations on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum are the other priorities set out by the Slovenian Presidency.

For further information about Slovenia's Presidency of the EU Council please visit https://slovenian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/