During the first half of the Slovenian Presidency, 18 national recovery and resilience plans were adopted. Slovenia will also endeavour to adopt the remaining plans as soon as possible. The Slovenian Presidency continued its work on files to strengthen the Union’s resilience and preparedness for future crises, as well as on key legislative packages related to the construction of the Health Union and the green and digital transitions. The Presidency also responded to the unexpected situation in Afghanistan and Belarus by convening extraordinary meetings of ministers responsible for foreign affairs.

Minister Logar briefed the ambassadors on the Presidency’s plans for the second half of the Presidency, in particular activities in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Slovenia also devoted a strategic debate on the European future at this year’s 16th Bled Strategic Forum.

In the field of EU external relations, Slovenia strives to support the process of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, especially in bridging economic disparities between the two regions and cooperating in areas of common interest. The Presidency will focus on increasing the Union’s engagement in the region on the basis of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, progress in the development of a common regional market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit, which is to be hosted next week at Brdo pri Kranju, will also be dedicated to these topics.

Regarding the response to developments in Afghanistan, Minister Logar picked out the evacuation of foreign citizens and the need to develop a new comprehensive EU strategy for Afghanistan as crucial.  Among other foreign policy priorities, Minister Logar stressed the importance of maintaining a multilateral approach towards China and a common EU approach towards the Indo-Pacific region.