President Pahor and President of the European Commission von der Leyen openly and substantively address the coming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor is paying a visit to Brussels, where today he is meeting with the presidents of the highest EU institutions.

In the morning, he first met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The atmosphere at their meeting reflected their long acquaintance and the discussion was open and substantive. President Pahor presented to President von der Leyen his assessment of the situation in Slovenia and assured her that, despite the increased political uncertainty, Slovenia is seriously and responsibly preparing for assuming the presidency of the Council of the EU. He stressed that Slovenia remains an active advocate of the European idea, the strengthening of the EU, and its enlargement.

President Pahor and President von der Leyen assessed the experiences gained in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. President Pahor congratulated President von der Leyen on the efforts and success in developing the Recovery and Resilience Facility. He believes the Facility is a very strong lever for development and a great opportunity that will enable European countries to take the lead in the green and digital agenda.

President Pahor presented to President von der Leyen the letter Let’s talk about Europe, which was issued on the initiative of President Pahor and President Mattarella and signed by 21 presidents of EU Member States on the occasion of Europe Day and the beginning of the Conference on the Future of Europe. President von der Leyen assessed that the discussion on the future of Europe will be a very important part of the Slovenian Presidency and therefore a great responsibility for Slovenia. Both Presidents believe that it is important for the discussion to be inclusive. President von der Leyen said that the immediate and active participation of President Pahor, as a committed European, in this discussion would be most welcome.

President Pahor acquainted President von der Leyen with the course of the summit of the leaders of the Brdo–Brijuni Process, which he recently hosted in Slovenia. He said that this, perhaps most important, regional political initiative, which brings together the leaders of Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. He reiterated that the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkan countries is a geopolitical issue and that it is imperative that the inclusion of the Western Balkan countries is significantly accelerated.


Photo: Thierry Monasse/STA

As part of his visit to various European institutions, President Pahor will also meet with President of the European Parliament David Maria Sassoli.

This afternoon, President Pahor will meet with President of the European Council Charles Michel.