 The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended the World Economic Forum on Europe held in Brussels and took part in the Forum's opening plenary entitled "European Union – Managing the Crisis". On the margins of the Brussels Forum, President Türk also had bilateral meetings with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, EU Environment Commissioner Dr Janez Potoènik and the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek.
In his statement to the press, Dr Türk said that the preservation, enhancement and further development of the euro area and the common currency require certain investments. He pointed out that these can be considered good investments facilitating the development of standards and procedures for the provision of urgently required equity according to the principle of solidarity. "It is right to provide assistance within the euro area in terms of solidarity. However, one needs to know to whom and under what conditions the assistance is being granted in order to ensure that it serves its purpose and yields adequate results," said President Türk. In his view, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) represents a very good mechanism for assessing the situation in a trouble-stricken country and for determining criteria for overcoming its problems. In this respect, the IMF is much better equipped and in a better position than any EU institution. He went on to say that cooperation with the IMF is also useful in terms of the long-term stability of the euro area. |
 During the talks with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, who will also chair a working group for the preparation of new mechanisms, the two presidents discussed financial issues and the method of promoting the notion of solidarity in order to make it credible to the extent that all EU citizens could truly support it. The two statesmen also focused on the role of the IMF as a third party in such debates. The Slovenian President and Mr Van Rumpoy agreed that the IMF's participation is useful not only in terms of financial means but also because of its know-how and authority. Moreover, they discussed relations with the neighbouring countries of the EU and the activities of the President of the European Council in relation to the countries of the Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans and the margins of the EU, where the latter must undertake an active role. The two presidents particularly highlighted the importance of the EU strategic partnership with Russia. |
 Dr Türk also met with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Janez Potoènik, and discussed EU environmental policy and the tasks of the European Commission in implementing environmental standards in the decision-making process related to EU-financed projects, and then went on to touch on the issue of biotic diversity. |
 During the talks with the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, the two dignitaries discussed the Eastern Partnership, cooperation with the Western Balkan countries and the issue of Cyprus. They then touched on the development of EU institutions following implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, as well as on parliamentary cooperation and the stability of the eurozone. In doing so, they supported the decision of the EU finance ministers to ensure the stability of the EU monetary system, as well as Greek measures aimed at overcoming the debt crisis and providing sustainable economic development. In his statement to the press, the Slovenian President emphasised that further development of the EU monetary system should include the establishment of control mechanisms and criteria ensuring that any aid granted will be fair to both the recipient countries and the countries providing assistance. In this context, Dr Türk also highlighted the significance of the European Parliament, an institution representing the symbol of European democracy.
Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk gives an interview to Bloomberg Television at the World Economic Forum on Europe in Brussels. |