 This morning, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, took part in bilateral meetings with the presidents of the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany on the margins of the informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group.
He congratulated Mr Bronis³aw Komorowski, the President of the Republic of Poland, for the good results Poland have achieved in economic and political matters. Dr Türk stressed that Poland is increasingly becoming a solid and important link in the European Union. The interlocutors focused on the economic and political situation in the European Union. They agreed that the EU must consolidate and undertake a joint resolution of the problems it encounters. The presidents underlined, in particular, the need for a clear analysis of the situation and the priorities of the Union's operation to be established.
The presidents of Slovenia and Poland called for a uniform policy to be adopted regarding the democratisation processes in Libya and North Africa in general. They advocated the full integration of regional initiatives in the common policy of the European Union in order to unite the area stretching from the Baltic Sea across the Danube area to the Adriatic. President Türk recalled that the Republic of Poland would soon assume the Presidency of the European Union and expressed his high expectations in this regard. He affirmed that Slovenia was prepared to cooperate in the implementation of the objectives identified during their talks. |
 President Türk and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Christian Wulff, agreed that bilateral relations between the countries were excellent; President Türk took the opportunity to invite the German President to visit Slovenia. They also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans.
The Slovenian President expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Croatia is now in the final phase of negotiations for membership to the European Union. As regards the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he thanked Germany for the initiatives proposed and the commitments made. He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina must not get the impression that it is being forgotten and unwanted in the EU. He referred to Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards NATO as a possible factor in its integration.
President Wulff said that Germany was deeply concerned about the situation in the eurozone. In his opinion, the only way to resolve the problems was through all Member States with the euro as their currency to apply strict financial discipline; in addition, he stressed the importance of the establishment of a culture of stability. The Slovenian President agreed with this and added that each country must first settle things at home, which would serve as the basis for the eradication of the eurozone's problems. |
 On the second day of the meeting, the heads of nine European countries, participants at the informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group, attended the third plenary session entitled: "EU 2020 – New Challenges in the European Union".
The keynote speaker, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, stressed that the stabilisation of the euro requires transparency and discipline. In his opinion, the strengthening of the euro is of vital importance to the EU; he also advocated the standardisation of the positions held by EU member states. The President of Portugal, Dr Aníbal Cavaco Silva, acquainted the other presidents with the financial and political situation in Portugal, where an early election is to be held in order to put an end to the present deadlock in the political decision making process. |
 During the discussion, President Türk stressed that it was very important to find good solutions which are also acceptable to the public. He added that these solutions must link the need to save with the prospects of economic growth. He also underlined the importance of the 3S principle – Sensibility, Strategy and a Single Voice. In his opinion, this must serve as the basis for making decisions on the present and past of the European Union, and the internal issues and global challenges with which it is faced. |
 President Türk also recalled the 3S principle at today's common press conference of the heads of the member states of the Arraiolos Group. |
 That afternoon, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Hungary, Dr Pál Schmitt, the host of the informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group. During their talks they assessed the meeting as being a successful and constructive exercise. The Hungarian president accepted the invitation of the Slovenian President to the state ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Slovenia.
The President of Hungary outlined the course of the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union to his interlocutor. On the initiative of President Türk, they also discussed the new constitution, which is soon to be decided on by the Hungarian parliament, especially the parts of the constitution regarding the situation of the national minorities living in Hungary. President Schmitt stated that Hungary respects national minorities, a sentiment which would also be reflected by the new constitution. The two presidents agreed to cooperate in the promotion of joint projects, which are supported by European funding, undertaken by the Slovenian minority in Hungary and the Hungarian minority in Slovenia. |