Slovenia calls for a balanced European budget that will address common challenges

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that, in the negotiations, Slovenia advocates a balanced EU budget that will take into account the interests of the Member States while enabling the European Union to respond effectively to new economic, security and geopolitical challenges.

"It is in our interest for Slovenia to have a fair and balanced presence across all key areas – cohesion policy, the common agricultural policy, innovation and other EU programmes," the Prime Minister said, stressing that Slovenia does not see its interests as separate from the common EU goals. "The European Union was created precisely so that issues that can be addressed better and more effectively together – or can only be addressed together – are dealt with at the European level."

Slovenia is therefore advocating a financial framework that will meet existing commitments while also providing sufficient funding for new European priorities. These include competitiveness, innovation, research and development, industrial transformation, and energy, economic, defence and strategic security.

Cohesion policy and EU programmes for science, research and innovation remain particularly important to Slovenia. By reducing development disparities between its Member States, the European Union can better harness its economic, research and innovation potential and strengthen its competitiveness globally.

The Prime Minister also highlighted EU enlargement as one of the strategic priorities, noting that the war in Ukraine and the changing geopolitical situation have given it added importance. "This is about fulfilling the fundamental goal that gave rise to the European Union in the first place: ensuring that the whole of Europe lives in peace, security and unity, and that the European continent is united."

Regarding the next steps in the negotiations, the Prime Minister expressed optimism. According to him, an agreement on the key elements of the multiannual financial framework could be reached as early as October, and based on the progress of the negotiations so far, Slovenia expects that a comprehensive agreement could be reached by the end of this year. "This would be an important achievement and bode well for the European Union," he stressed.

Slovenia will continue to play an active role in the negotiations, helping to find a compromise that is acceptable to all Member States and that will enable the European Union to respond effectively to future challenges.

"In the end, what matters is that we reach an agreement based on broad consensus, one that we can all support. At the same time, we must ensure adequate funding for all our common European priorities and create the conditions for a responsive and successful future for the European Union and each of its Member States," the Prime Minister concluded.

European Council President António Costa, for his part, particularly highlighted Prime Minister Janez Janša's experience and his contribution to joint European efforts. "As one of the most senior members of the European Council, it's a huge responsibility for you, we count on your wisdom and your experience to help us to move forward in our European unity," Costa said.