Slovenia announces EU presidency agenda

Slovenia will put climate change, energy and economic reforms at the top of the European Union's agenda. The Balkan country will take over the union's presidency in January 2008. Slovenia announces EU presidency agenda In addition, after meeting with European Commission President Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister Janez Jansa said he would push EU governments to quickly ratify the reform treaty European leaders will sign next month. The treaty includes changes in decision-making rules designed to make the union function more effectively. "We will follow closely the ratification process of the reform treaty and encourage our colleagues to speed up as much as possible the ratification process," Jansa said at a press conference with Barroso. The new treaty, if approved by all 27 member nations, would take effect in 2009. Slovenia, a country of 2 million people, joined the EU in 2004. "I have every reason to believe Slovenia will run a successful presidency at this crucial time for the European Union," said Barroso. "Slovenia may not be the largest country in geographical terms, but it is indeed very big in terms of European commitment." Jansa and Barroso said central to EU business in 2008 will be steps to reverse climate change. Barroso said that in January he will propose measures to specify how much each nation must contribute to the goal of deriving 20 percent of the union's energy from renewable supplies and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by one-fifth by 2020.

Slovenia announces EU presidency agenda

In addition, after meeting with European Commission President Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister Janez Jansa said he would push EU governments to quickly ratify the reform treaty European leaders will sign next month. The treaty includes changes in decision-making rules designed to make the union function more effectively.

"We will follow closely the ratification process of the reform treaty and encourage our colleagues to speed up as much as possible the ratification process," Jansa said at a press conference with Barroso.

The new treaty, if approved by all 27 member nations, would take effect in 2009.

Slovenia, a country of 2 million people, joined the EU in 2004.

"I have every reason to believe Slovenia will run a successful presidency at this crucial time for the European Union," said Barroso. "Slovenia may not be the largest country in geographical terms, but it is indeed very big in terms of European commitment."

Jansa and Barroso said central to EU business in 2008 will be steps to reverse climate change.

Barroso said that in January he will propose measures to specify how much each nation must contribute to the goal of deriving 20 percent of the union's energy from renewable supplies and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by one-fifth by 2020.