For Slovenia: Difficult Challenges Come With EU Presidency

by Dan Forrest
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Slovenia began its turn as president of the European Union on the first day of the new year.  For the next six months, it will attempt to put a united face on the 27 nation bloc of European countries participating in the EU.  But in light of international developments happening in the past year, this will present a difficult challenge for the former Yugoslav state.  As early as the next couple of weeks, Slovenia will be responsible for overseeing a common EU policy as Europe prepares for Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia.   It will also face issues related to the EU's foreign policy towards the middle east, global warming, and the ratification of the Lisbon treaty. 

It is expected that Kosovo may declare its independence from Serbia at any time.  While at the helm of the EU, Slovenia will be responsible for coordinating policy discussions between the western powers, who have generally supported Kosovo's bid for independence, and Russia and Serbia, who have vehemently opposed any redrawing of Serbia's borders.  Many worry that an independent Kosovo will trigger instability and violence in the Balkan region. 

Nevertheless, it should be noted that Slovenia may be well suited for this task.  As a former Yugoslav state, Slovenia might be able to use its ethnic ties with Kosovo and Serbia to negotiate a peaceful solution.  The Associated Press (AP) reports that Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel acknowledged that, "Slovenia will face the tricky task of mediating between its "friends" the Kosovars and Serbs, while also working to maintain EU unity over the issue."

Slovenia will also oversee EU policy discussions relating to Iran's alleged buildup of nuclear weapons, global warming, and the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, which Slovenia will push for EU member states to sign before its presidency expires in June. 

Slovenia's presidency is seen as one of its nation's biggest achievements, given that it gained independence from Yugoslavia merely 16 years ago.  The EU's current challenges present a lot for this young nation to take on. 

For more information, please see:

BBC - Kosovo to test Slovenia leaders - 1 January 2008

Yahoo (AP) - Slovenia taking over EU helm - 31 December 2007

International Herald Tribune - Slovenia begins EU presidency - 1 January 2008