Together, Resilient, Europe: The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
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Together, Resilient, Europe:
The Key Priorities of the
Slovenian Presidency of
the Council of the EU
Alexander Conway
On 1 July 2021, Slovenia assumed the rotating of law within the Union as well as ensuring EU
Presidency of the Council of the European security within its immediate neighbourhood,
Union, which it will hold for six months until which have been priorities within the broader
31 December 2021, after which France will GPS Trio programme.
assume the mantle. The Slovenian Presidency
concludes the “GPS Trio” of Germany, Portugal, The relative decline of COVID-19 cases across
and Slovenia. This is the second time Slovenia the EU and the success of vaccine roll-outs
has held the Presidency of the Council of the means that the Slovenian Presidency will
EU, with the first being in 2008.1 The 2008 likely be able to hold many, if not all, of its
Presidency was also under the stewardship Presidency events in person, which may aid
of current Prime Minister Janez Janša, when in the conclusion of sensitive discussions
the Slovenian Presidency oversaw the initial over the rule of law, as well as other files like
ratification process for the Lisbon Treaty. artificial intelligence and EU-China relations.2
Restrictions may however be re-imposed
Slovenia assumes the Presidency as the if there are subsequent COVID-19 waves,
European Union begins to chart its recovery arising from the Delta variant of the virus.
from the twin COVID-19 health and economic
crises, as well as the initial ratification and Presidency Motto
release of funds for Member States’ national
Recovery and Resilience Plans in the context of The Slovenian Presidency motto, “Together,
the green and digital transitions. The Slovenian Resilient, Europe”, underlines Slovenia’s focus
Presidency will also oversee the initial sessions on reinforcing the EU’s health, economic,
of the Conference on the Future of Europe energy, climate and cyber resiliencies and
and will place a particular emphasis on rule basis for Union solidarity.
Alexander Conway | 21 July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
The logo of the Presidency represents the and promoting European interests and values
national symbol of Slovenia, Mount Triglav, globally. These Agenda goals are broadly
as well as the ups and downs of the EU’s reflected in the priorities of the Slovenian
development over time, and its resilience Presidency, outlined below, and Slovenia will
in getting back up after its falls. The seven also continue the remaining work on the MFF
stars symbolise the seventh stanza of the and negotiations with the UK.
Slovenian poet France Prešeren's poem, “A
Toast (Zdravljica)” and of Slovenia’s national
anthem, which calls for dialogue, open
Slovenian Political Landscape
societies and peaceful coexistence.
Following its secession from Yugoslavia in 1991,
GPS Trio Presidency Slovenia became an independent republic and
joined the European Union in 2004, with a bicameral
The joint GPS Trio Presidency programme
parliamentary system.
emphasises supporting Europe’s COVID-19
recovery and strengthening its resilience to Slovenian’s previous general election, held on 3
future crises.3 Germany, Portugal and Slovenia June 2018, resulted in a victory for the Slovenian
issued a joint declaration during the German
Democratic Party (SDS), although they fell short
Presidency stating that their central goals
of an absolute majority in the Slovenian National
were: dealing with the pandemic, containing
Assembly (with 25 of 90 seats). The current
the virus and coordinating health efforts
government was formed on 13 March 2020 following
across the EU. Two of the immediate priorities
for the Trio Presidency - reaching agreement the resignation of the previous Prime Minister Marjan
on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Šarec in January 2020.
Prime Minister Janša’s centre-right minority
government hold 38 seats, with the Modern Centre
Party (SMC), Democratic Party of Pensioners (DeSUS)
and the New Slovenian Party (NSI). The opposition
have indicated they may call a vote of no-confidence
in the Government during Slovenia’s Presidency if all
opposition parties agree to the motion.
Slovenia’s Presidency Priorities
and finalising negotiations with the UK - were Slovenia has identified four priority areas
achieved under the German Presidency, as part of its Presidency Programme which
and subsequently implemented under the aim to secure the EU’s existence and future
Portuguese Presidency. The remaining development. 5 These are: reinforcing the EU’s
goals build on the EU’s Strategic Agenda resilience plans and mechanisms based on a
2019-2024,4including: climate change, green, digital and fair transition; facilitating
the digital transition, improving European open discussion on a common European
industrial competitiveness and autonomy, future through the Conference on the Future
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
of Europe; a Union of the European way of Fostering strategic autonomy is critical for
life with balanced rights, responsibilities and the Slovenian Presidency, particularly striking
equal criteria for all, and; a credible and secure the security of supply of critical products,7
EU with protected external borders capable of like medicines, vaccines, medical equipment,
ensuring security and stability both internally industrial policy, energy and food supplies.
and in its neighbourhood.6 Support for the establishment of the European
Health Emergency Preparedness and
1. A Strategically Autonomous European Response Authority (HERA) for health policy,
and the Trans-European Energy Networks
Union
Regulation (TEN-E) for energy infrastructures
Resilience is the essential leitmotif of the in line with the European Green Deal, are at
Slovenian Presidency programme. As part of the core of this strategic autonomy agenda.
this, Slovenia has identified improving the As part of this, Slovenia will also stress the
EU’s ability to identify and respond effectively strategic importance of agricultural production
to crises which are beyond the capacity of and EU food security during its Presidency,
individual Member States as a key objective. and will aim to incorporate the strategic CAP
There will be a particular focus on addressing implementation plans into tourism and natural
pandemics and large-scale cyber-attacks, resource management policies.
as well reducing the EU’s dependency on
With reference to the EU’s economic recovery,
external actors for critical materials, goods
Slovenia plans to initiate a debate on new
and services. Progress on the European
own resources for the EU, based on digital
Health Union, reinforcing the mandates of
taxation and the carbon border adjustment
the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and
mechanism, as well as tax on energy products
European Centre for Disease Prevention and
and electricity. The Slovenian Presidency will
Control (ECDC) and of pandemic preparedness
also begin negotiations on the “Fit for 55”
plans and coordination mechanisms will
legislative package to reduce greenhouse
be central in shoring up the EU’s resilience.
gas emissions, wherein it supports allowing
Improving cybersecurity facilities for critical
Member States to choose their own energy
infrastructure and the digital single market
mixes (including nuclear energy). Slovenia will
within the Union, as well as in the Western
also encourage greater take-up of e-mobility
Balkans through the September 2021 Bled
and rail transport, and will be responsible for
Strategic Forum, also feed into this resilience
achieving a Council mandate ahead of the
goal. This will be complemented by the further
COP26 Conference.8 Determining what energy
development of the European Civil Protection
sources will be included in the EU’s climate-
Pool and RescEU emergency response
friendly Green Bond financing instrument,
capacities, which are under the remit of the
particularly the role of nuclear power and
Slovenian Commissioner Lenarčič. Slovenia
natural gas, will likely prove complex.9
has also highlighted the need to support
Reaching agreement on a legislative act for a
more longer-term strategic planning efforts
life-cycle approach to batteries and the Waste
to feed into the European Commission’s 2021
Shipment Regulation also fits into Slovenia’s
Strategic Foresight Report regarding greater objective of enhancing the EU’s autonomy
open strategic autonomy. and reducing its reliance on external actors as
part of increased recycling and more circular
economy efforts.
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Slovenia will aim to make progress on a will be the subject of a conference in October
common EU position to regulate and set 2021 to discuss possible labour market
global standards for the development of incentives to increase birth-rates, improve
artificial intelligence,10 based on ethics and work-life balances for parents, young families
human rights,11 with a high-level conference and the elderly, and will build on the progress
planned for September 2021. Concluding the made at the May 2021 Porto Social Summit.
Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act
negotiations and regulating cryptocurrencies Slovenia will stress the importance of rule of
will also be key files for the Slovenian law as a prerequisite for ensuring mutual trust
Presidency agenda. Supporting the recovery of between Member States and for the smooth
Europe’s tourism industry is a central concern operation of the internal market, with an
for the Slovenian Presidency, which will host emphasis on combatting media monopolies
an informal summit of tourism ministers on 17 and fake news.
November 2021.
The Slovenian Presidency plans to underline
the importance of understanding the
2. The Conference on the Future of constitutional, socio-economic, political,
Europe historical similarities and differences between
As President of the Council of the EU and one Member States in explaining why certain
of its co-chairs, Slovenia will represent and countries have not internalised rule of law
coordinate the positions of the Member States values, implying that this has not heretofore
at the Conference during its Presidency. been accounted for by the EU institutions. In
During its tenure according to Foreign Minister this context, Slovenia supports a comparative
Logar speaking at the IIEA, Slovenia aims contextual treatment of different Member
to organise two plenary sessions and four States and the establishment of a European
European Citizens’ Panels. 12 Slovenia is keen foundation for constitutional democracy which
to stress the importance of hearing “differing would fill in a gap in monitoring rule of law
legitimate opinions” during the Conference compliance within the EU.
and holding honest discussions based
Whether such an institution would overlap,
on “historical” experiences, which will be
duplicate or undermine the monitoring work
supported by European leaders’ discussions
done by the European Court of Justice and the
at the September 2021 16th Bled Strategic
European Commission on rule of law remains
Forum, entitled “The Future of Europe”.
to be determined.13 Concerns over rule of law
and media pluralism in Slovenia itself may
3. A Union of the European Way of Life, also call this goal into question.14
Rule of Law and Equal Criteria for All
Slovenia aims to raise awareness for the 4. A Credible and Secure European
“European way of life” based on respect Union
for personal dignity, freedom, fundamental
Strengthening EU security is at the heart
rights, and common rules, and will also draw
of Slovenia’s Presidency as an essential
attention to the need to counter negative
prerequisite for the EU’s future peace and
demographic trends in the EU in this context.
prosperity, particularly the full restoration
Addressing demographic challenges in the EU
of the Schengen Area by addressing the
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
challenges posed by COVID-19 and migration Conclusion
related restrictions. During the negotiations
on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, The Slovenian EU Presidency will likely be
Slovenia will work to harmonise Member affected in part by how quickly and effectively
States’ asylum systems, forge consensus on the EU’s COVID-19 recovery efforts proceed,
defining solidarity and responsibility, address and its firm focus on resilience will underpin
illegal migration routes into the EU and much of the objectives and goals for the
formulate clear returns policies procedures. Presidency. Concerns remain, however, over
Improvements in police cooperation and media pluralism, media freedom and rule of
amending the Europol Regulation will feed law questions in Slovenia, and these may cast
into this objective. a significant shadow over the Presidency.16 17
Slovenia supports closer EU ties with its Ireland and Slovenia are two small Member
transatlantic allies, particularly the US, as States, which though located on the
well as Canada and the UK, democratic geographic periphery of the EU are deeply
Indo-Pacific countries and Israel. Formally engaged at the core of the Union, and who
institutionalising EU-NATO cooperation is also share common concerns over the EU’s future
prioritised under the EU’s forthcoming March resilience in the face of crises like the present
2022 Strategic Compass initiative for security pandemic. The Slovenian Presidency has set
and defence policy, particularly regarding itself an admirable, if formidable, task towards
military mobility, cybersecurity, hybrid threats fostering a strong, strategic, resilient and
and interoperability. Slovenia supports the robust Union fit for the future.
possibility of facilitating regularised EU-China
summits, one with EU leaders and another
between the EU27 and China.
The Western Balkans region is a key focus
for the Slovenian Presidency, particularly the
region’s integration into common security
and defence policy (CSDP) initiatives, with
a dedicated EU-Western Balkans Summit to
be held in October 2021. Slovenia plans to
promote a comprehensive debate on the EU’s
neighbourhood policy, and to implement the
EU’s New Agenda for the Mediterranean at the
December 2021 European Council summit.
The Slovenian Presidency is also keen to move
forward on enlargement negotiations, and to
adopt the negotiating frameworks for both
Albania and North Macedonia, and to make
progress with Montenegro and Serbia. Minister
Logar, speaking at the IIEA, underlined that
if the EU does not push forward with the
enlargement process, other global players will
step into the vacuum left.15
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Key People
Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of
Economic Development and Technology
Janez Janša
Zsdavko Počivalšek
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Minister of Defence
Anže Logar
Matej Tonin
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Minister of Finance State Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Andrej Šircelj
Gašper Dovžan
Minister of the Interior
Aleš Hojs
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Provisional Council Meeting Agenda for the Slovenian Presidency 202118
• 12 July – FAC & Eurogroup
• 13 July – ECOFIN
• 14 – 16 July – Informal JHA
• 19 July - AGRIFISH
• 20 July – ECOFIN
• 22 - 23 July – Informal GAC
• 23 July - ECOFIN (Budget)
• 2 September – Informal FAC Gymnich (Defence)
• 5 - 7 September – Informal AGRIFISH
• 10 September – Eurogroup
• 10 – 11 September - Informal ECOFIN
• 21 September – GAC
• 21 – 23 September – Informal TTE
• 28 - 29 September – COMPET (Research) & COMPET (Internal Market and Industry)
• 4 October – Eurogroup in Luxembourg
• 5 October – ECOFIN in Luxembourg
• 6 October – EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia, ENVI in Luxembourg
• 7 - 8 October – JHA in Luxembourg
• 11 – 12 October - AGRIFISH in Luxembourg
• 18 October - FAC
• 19 October – GAC
• 20 October – Tripartite Social Summit
• 21 – 22 October – European Council Summit
• 8 November – Eurogroup
• 9 November – ECOFIN
• 11 November – FAC (Trade)
• 12 November - ECOFIN (Budget)
• 15 November – FAC, AGRIFISH
• 16 November – FAC (Defence)
• 18 November - GAC (Cohesion)
• 19 November – FAC (Development)
• 23 November – GAC
• 25 - 26 November – COMPET (Internal Market and Industry) & COMPET (Research and Space)
• 29 November – FAC, EYCS (Education and Youth)
• 30 November – EYCS (Sport/Culture)
• 2 - 3 December – TTE (Energy) & TTE (Telecommunications)
• 6 November – Eurogroup, EPSCO (Employment and Social Policy)
• 7 November – ECOFIN, EPSCO (Health)
• 9 November – TTE (Transport)
• 9- 10 November – JHA
• 13 December – FAC, AGRIFISH
• 14 November – GAC, AGRIFISH
• 16 – 17 November – European Council Summit
• 20 November – ENVI
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Endnotes
1. http://www.eu2008.si/en/indexd41d.html
2. https://www.politico.eu/article/slovenian-presidency-policy-problems/
3. https://www.2021portugal.eu/media/ldohjith/programa-do-trio-en.pdf
4. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/eu-strategic-agenda-2019-2024/
5. https://slovenian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/i4qnfeqt/programme-sl-
presidency-en.pdf P.7
6. https://slovenian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/introductory-address-by-
the-slovenian-prime-minister-janez-jansa/
7. https://youtu.be/ymKmouyQuLs?t=525
8. https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/slovenia-faces-
mountain-of-climate-legislation-as-it-takes-on-eu-presidency-role/
9. https://www.politico.eu/article/slovenian-presidency-policy-problems/
10. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-
intelligence
11. https://slovenian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/news/coping-more-effec-
tively-with-crisis-situations/
12. https://youtu.be/ymKmouyQuLs?t=658
13. https://www.ft.com/content/0323fb89-b20c-4619-b082-22a19e233664
14. Slovenia takes EU driver’s seat as values questions dominate – EURACTIV.com
15. https://youtu.be/ymKmouyQuLs?t=721
16. https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-council-presidency/news/slovenia-takes-
eu-drivers-seat/
17. https://www.politico.eu/article/rule-of-law-dispute-shadows-ceremonial-open-
ing-of-slovenias-eu-council-presidency/
18. https://slovenian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/jjkk0dvu/draft-calen-
dar-si-presidency-ver-29-6-2021.pdf
Alexander Conway | July 2021
Together, Resilient, Europe | The Key Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
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