New Kosova Report

Kosovo amongst the successes of Slovenian Presidency

Wednesday, 02 July 2008

Kosovo was one of the successes of this round of presidency in the EU block, said the outgoing Slovenia’s leader of the EU presidency, during the ceremonial event of handing over the EU presidency to France.

"We were successful in maintaining our unity in all key issues, and in avoiding regional destabilization," stated Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.

Slovenia argues it played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for the EU mission, despite opposition from Belgrade and Moscow, and hesitancy from the UN administration.

After the declaration of Kosovo’s independence, it was confirmed commitment to bring stability in the region and to ensure EU presence in Kosovo, through the EULEX mission, and the EU Special representative” reads the statement of the outgoing EU presidency of Slovenia.

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Sebaneau said:

...
The Swedish Foreign minister Carl Bildt also congratulates Slovenia on his weblog:

"... As we welcome France there is every reason to thank Slovenia for its contributions during its six months.
"it was the first “new” member nation which held the presidency, and one of the smallest in the union to boot. That it implies a considerable effort goes without saying.
"But important parts of its priorities were crowned with success.
"That Balkan politics was central was rather self-evident.
"After the decision on Kosovo in February it was extremely important to try and prevent Serbia from getting completely out of control. The decision on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia at the end of "April --which took place a fter a lot of hard work from the Presidency -- wrested electoral victory from the hands of the ultra-nationalists in early May.
"And then diplomacy was important in the constitution of a new government which is taking place in Belgrade.
"All of this could have gone very differently -- and become very nasty.
"Let's then tip our hats to Slovenia and Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel."

http://carlbildt.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/frankrike-tar-ledningen-och-vi-gratulerar-slovenien/
Frankrike tar ledningen - och vi gratulerar Slovenien
Alla dessa dagar, 3 juli 2008.

... Samtidigt som Frankrike välkomnas finns det all anledning att tacka Slovenien för dess insatser under sina sex månader.
Det var det första “nya” medlemslandet som hade ordförandeskapet, och därtill ett av de allra minsta inom unionen. Att det innebar en mycket betydande kraftansträngning säger sig självt.
Men man lyckades med viktiga delar av sina prioriteringar.
Att Balkan-politiken var central var ganska självklart.
Efter beslutet om Kosovo i februari var det ytterligt viktigt att bidraga till att förhindra att Serbien gick alldeles över styr.
Beslutet om SAA-avtalet med Serbien i slutet på april - som föregicks av mycket hårt arbete av ordförandeskapet - vred valsegern ur händerna på ultranationalisterna i det serbiska valet i början av maj.
Och därtill lades diplomati av betydelse för den regeringsbildning som nu pågår i Belgrad.
Allt detta kunde ha gått mycket annorlunda - och blivit mycket illa.
Så vi lyfter på hatten för Slovenien och utrikesminister Dimitrij Rupel.