State Secretary Grašič on the flexibility of EU financial instruments for improving crisis and natural disaster response

State Secretary Grašič welcomed the discussion about the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). “Solidarity is one of the key elements of European integration. Slovenia would like to see MFF instruments and mechanisms that are both predictable and flexible enough to enable the EU to respond to unforeseen circumstances such as geopolitical instability, economic shocks, natural disasters and health emergencies,” she emphasised during the discussion. The State Secretary mentioned that Slovenia has experienced several natural disasters in recent years, including catastrophic flooding in 2023. The response to these floods has provided the country with valuable experience in crisis management.

State Secretary Grašič said that Slovenia would support the so-called ‘cascade mechanism’ for crisis situations proposed by the European Commission if different levels of the mechanism could be utilised and Member States could decide which level was most appropriate for them in a given situation. She also emphasised that the current proposal for the mechanism does not benefit less developed Member States or countries that will face more severe crises. This is partly due to the impact of such instruments on the provision of key funds that have already been earmarked for long-term financing of convergence or development disparities between Member States and regions within the Union. She added that the proposed draft mechanism should be revised to better reflect the past experiences of Member States and how they have effectively dealt with crises.

Ministers and state secretaries also held a discussion on EU enlargement with representatives of candidate and potential candidate countries in attendance. This time, the focus was on the centrality of fundamental principles in the enlargement process amid the current geopolitical uncertainties. For Slovenia, enlargement is one of the Union’s most powerful geostrategic tools, promoting positive change in future Member States and contributing to the security and prosperity of the entire European region. State Secretary Grašič expressed her support for the Presidency’s commitment to making tangible progress on the integration of the Western Balkan countries, as well as Ukraine and Moldova. She emphasised that the EU is a community founded on shared values and that previous enlargements have greatly strengthened it. This is also a result of the merits of candidate countries and their implementation of reforms. At the same time, the EU must fulfil its commitments and be ready to accept new members once they have met the necessary criteria. “The extremely rapid geopolitical shifts have demonstrated the importance of enlargement as an investment in the EU’s strategic autonomy and deterrent capability. With the admission of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU, the security of its eastern border would be strengthened, while admitting the Western Balkan countries would reduce its vulnerability to external geopolitical influence.” The State Secretary also recalled the Slovenian-German initiative to introduce qualified majority voting for the technical stages of the accession process. This would make the process faster and more efficient without compromising EU standards.

Slovenia also supports the concept of gradual integration as a means of accelerating the enlargement process, rather than replacing it. At the same time, it is an effective way of maintaining public support for comprehensive reforms within the negotiation framework. The State Secretary also emphasised the importance of enhancing strategic communication in order to gain public support for enlargement in both candidate countries and Member States.

During a working lunch, ministers and state secretaries shared their experiences of dealing with foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, the UK Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations. The United Kingdom is an important strategic partner for the European Union when it comes to responding to the growing challenges posed by foreign disinformation campaigns. In this regard, State Secretary Grašič emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation in the Western Balkans.