The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union has ended. This six-month period also left a strong mark on the Ministry of the Economy. A successful half-year, which took a lot of inventiveness and persistence, is behind us. We are satisfied with the achievements that were reached in the sectors covered by our ministry.

In the half-year I chaired five ministerial meetings of the EU Council. During the presidency 23 working groups were ranged under the authority of the Ministry of the Economy. Within these 23 working groups, 203 meetings were convened. Besides the meetings within the Council of the European Union, we held 20 multilateral meetings and took part in four others. Seven appearances in the committees of the European Parliament and two appearances in the plenary sessions are behind us.

The Ministry of the Economy independently organized 12 informal sub-ministerial events and two ministerial meetings, and also took part in 17 accompanying events. A total of 110 employees and external partners ensured the perfect realization of the events and the substantial preparations.   

We are proud of our numerous successes; among them are agreement on the key elements of the Third Energy Package, conclusion of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan, progress towards treatment of the Climate Energy Package and legislative package for products, agreement regarding the Directive on credit agreements for consumers, progress in introducing a Community patent, important contribution to initiating the new three-year cycle of the Lisbon Strategy, progress in encouraging the growth of small and medium-size enterprises, progress in discussion on proposals to amend  the regulatory framework for telecommunications, harmonisation of decisions on mobile satellite services, the Council decision on digital dividends, progress in negotiations towards the Doha Development Agenda, and compromised agreement on the proposal of a Regulation for a general system of preferences (GSP) for the period 2009–2011.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to take part in such a demanding project, where Slovenia proved itself to be a match for such a task, despite its smallness and youth.

Minister Andrej Vizjak, MSc

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