TMP’s EU columnist, Anne Fairweather, looks ahead at the Slovenian Presidency. 

Slovenia is taking the lead in the EU for the next 6 months. If it wasn’t for easyjet even more of you would be saying ‘who?’ ‘where?’

Every 6 months sees a new direction for the EU under a new Presidency, a typical EU compromise that allows all nations a chance to lead the EU, if for a short time. Slovenia is the first of the ‘new’ member states who joined the EU in 2004 to take to the helm. Slovenia is a very small nation with around 2 million inhabitants. The Presidency gives such a small country the opportunity to make an impact on the EU agenda. In reality many of Slovenia’s priorities will be driven by the legislative agenda. However one area where the focus between Presidencies often changes is that of external affairs. Presidencies tend to shift the focus to their neighbouring states or ex-colonies. In this respect Slovenia’s Presidency could not have come at a better time.

Slovenia was the first of the ex-Yugoslav republics to become independent in 1991 after only 10 days of fighting. This relatively stress free exit from Yugoslavia has allowed for what was the most economically advanced of the Yugoslav republics to continue to develop within the EU where it is fast catching up with more developed western European nations.

However Slovenia is deeply concerned with the fate of its former sister republics from the ex-Yugoslavia. The Slovene Presidency is in an ideal position to further the relationship between the EU and Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia who are negotiating membership along with smoothing the path for Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro to join in the future. It also assumes the Presidency at a vital time in discussions over the fate of Kosovo.

The Slovene Presidency will bring expertise to the EU’s negotiating efforts. Most inhabitants of the ex-Yugoslavia have links to the other republics, whether through relatives, friends or business connections. In addition Slovenia shares a history with these republics and so has a good insight into where they are coming from.

The prospect of EU membership is a vital part of the stabilisation efforts in the Western Balkans. The EU was indeed created to end war between two very powerful countries, France and Germany. It is now faced with the challenge of helping to resolve a very complex situation in the former Yugoslavia. The EU’s reaction to events in the Western Balkans has developed over the last 15 years. Today it presents a roadmap to draw these countries into community of nations abiding by democratic principles and the rule of law.

The EU aims to support Kosovo through sending 1800 experts including police, the judiciary and customs officials. In addition to this support the EU provides financial backing to the province and, through NATO, the power to hopefully deter military disputes.

The EU provides the strongest driver in the Western Balkans to create sustainable and peaceful states in the region. The path to the EU is by no means a quick option and there is a lot of work to do before the Western Balkans becomes a prosperous part of the EU. However the prospect lines within sight. The Slovene Presidency should help drive this prospect forward.

And who knows, maybe in the future, easyjet will have Belgrade, Novi Sad, Skopje and Podgorica on their schedule and whole new generation of travellers will discover the mountains, coast line and hospitality of what is one of the most beautiful regions of Europe.

Anne Fairweather is TMP’s commentator on the EU.