Prime Minister Janša: All available options must be used to ensure stable energy prices

SLOVENIA, October 15 - The Prime Minister identified high energy prices and their impact on the European economy and people across Europe as one of the main topics of the meeting. He stressed that Slovenia would advocate measures to help stabilise prices over the coming winter months.

"Slovenia's position is that we must make full use of all the options available to us at both European and national levels to ensure at least relative price stability, so that people's quality of life is not significantly affected over the winter," the Prime Minister said.

The EU's next multiannual financial framework will also feature prominently in the discussions. The Prime Minister said that an agreement was unlikely to be reached at this meeting due to significant differences in the positions of the Member States. He also stressed that Slovenia remained firmly committed to safeguarding funding for the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy.

"Slovenia remains firmly committed to defending funding for the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy," he stressed.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with Slovenia's continued heavy dependence on cohesion funding despite its development potential. He recalled that, as early as 2005, during the first negotiations on the EU's financial framework, he had expected Slovenia to make faster developmental progress.

"We have made no progress since 2008, and this is something we Slovenians must reflect on very seriously as we decide which development path to pursue in the future," he warned.

Regarding negotiations on the EU's next budget, the Prime Minister said that the final budget would be smaller than currently proposed. The key question, he said, was how much it would be reduced. He also stressed the importance of a united approach among the Member States advocating the preservation of cohesion funding.

"The key to our negotiating position is for this group to remain united, strong and as large as possible," he said, referring to the Friends of Cohesion group. He added that negotiations usually end in a compromise between countries advocating cohesion policy and those seeking a smaller EU budget.

The Prime Minister also addressed the serious situation in Ukraine, which he expected to be one of the main topics of the meeting.

"The situation there is probably more critical now than at any time since the first few weeks following Russia's invasion. Europe has been left largely on its own in dealing with the war in Ukraine, and I expect a very serious discussion on this issue," he stressed.

In response to a journalist's question about the possibility of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union, the Prime Minister expressed support for such a move. He described the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU as one of the greatest losses in the Union's history.

"Although we disagreed on many issues, the United Kingdom was a voice of reason, advocating less bureaucracy and faster procedures. That is why it is welcome back," the Prime Minister said.

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