Minister Logar: France is taking over an EU in great shape

Met dank overgenomen van Sloveens voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2021 i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 31 december 2021.

Slovenia concluded its six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU and passed it over to France. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar symbolically handed over the presidency baton to French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris on 16 December 2021. Minister Logar presented the key achievements of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, noting that “France is taking over an EU in great shape.”

The Slovenian Presidency achieved the priorities it set in resilience, recovery, digital and green transition, the Conference on the Future of Europe, the rule of law and the European way of life, and with regard to secure EU and the Western Balkans.

I am pleased that with a quick and unified response, we have managed to find the right answers to the identified dilemmas and that we have shown together that we are stronger and more resilient.

dr. Anže LogarMinister of Foreign Affairs

dr. Anže LogarMinister of Foreign Affairs

During the presentation of the achievements, Minister Logar specifically mentioned the contribution of the Slovenian Presidency towards strengthening the Union’s resilience to all types of crises. Slovenia, as the country holding the Presidency, provided a solid foundation to ensure that the topic of resilience remains high on the agenda of European decision-makers. Substantial progress has also been achieved in post-pandemic economic recovery, the Fit for 55 package, digital transition, cybersecurity, the external dimension of migration and the protection of the EU’s external borders, and the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will conclude in spring 2022.

Slovenia has included a credible continuation of the EU enlargement process in its foreign policy priorities. Minister Logar therefore expressed great satisfaction that the French Presidency has also chosen to include the Western Balkan region among its priorities. He wished France every success with the Presidency and went on to express Slovenia’s unstinting support in achieving all tasks and goals.

Upon receiving the presidency baton, French Minister Le Drian positively assessed the achievements of the Slovenian Presidency.

Our two countries have a special responsibility, since this is a very demanding time at which to be holding the Presidency. France will continue the work of the Slovenian Presidency, in which you have invested considerable effort.

Jean-Yves Le DrianFrench Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Jean-Yves Le DrianFrench Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

The Slovenian Presidency has received numerous messages of thanks and congratulations from President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissioners and other representatives of the EU institutions. “The responses of the international community and the messages from high-level representatives of EU member states clearly show that we have improved the reputation, place and outreach of Slovenian diplomacy in the world,” stressed Minister Logar.