Slovenia must have focus and determination to make a success of its six-month EU presidency, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
Wishing the Balkan state well as it takes over from Portugal, Mr Ahern said Ireland was ready to help in any way it could.
The Taoiseach said he held talks with prime minister Janez Jansa on the margins of the EU Africa Summit in Lisbon a month ago.
"Slovenia has made thorough preparations for its presidency and I have every confidence that they will do an excellent job," Mr Ahern said. "For a presidency to be successful it must have focus and determination. Smaller member states generally have fewer national interests to manage and this can mean that they are very well placed to manage EU business."
Slovenia was formed in 1991 after gaining independence from Yugoslavia. It joined the EU on May 1st 2004 when Mr Ahern presided over Ireland's presidency of the Union.
Slovenia is expected to use its term to prioritise efforts to ratify the Reform Treaty as well as push for further progress on climate change and EU energy policy. Mr Jansa may also use the presidency to lobby hard for fellow Balkan state, Kosovo, which is seeking independence from Serbia.
It is the first presidency of a member state which has joined the 27-nation bloc since 2000.
The Taoiseach today urged Slovenia to open intensive contacts with other EU colleagues, which he said was time-consuming but essential to achieving agreement on issues. "Taking the time to understand different member states' positions and difficulties can reap rewards when it comes to brokering agreement and consensus," Mr Ahern noted.
"There has been good collaboration between the Irish and Slovenian administrations and I am glad that we are able to offer advice based on our own experience as a small member state," he added. "For my part I will be happy to be of assistance to prime minister Jansa and Slovenia during its presidency." Slovenia is also expected to use its presidency to help the EU accession process of fellow Balkan states like Croatia and Macedonia. Croatia began accession talks in 2005 and could become the EU's 28th member as soon as 2010. Macedonia, which was recognised as an official candidate for membership two years ago, is still awaiting a start date for its entry negotiations.
PA