Highlights of the Slovenian Presidency - Main contents
Highlights of the Slovenian Presidency
The second Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU is coming to a close. Slovenia has successfully held all planned events, achieved important results and created many opportunities for cooperation and integration despite the epidemiological situation. The Presidency can be seen as a mosaic of people, teams, events and individual unforgettable moments. A handful of them are presented below.
The opening ceremony
The premiere of The Water Man marked the start of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The ballet, choreographed by internationally renowned choreographer Edward Clug, on a floating ballet stage attached to the island in the middle of Lake Bled was attended by representatives of the Slovenian Government and European Commissioners.
European Commission President Ursula von den Leyen with performing dancers and musicians ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Visit by the European Commission
The working part of the visit of the College of Commissioners included a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Janez Janša and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a meeting of members of the Slovenian Government with European Commissioners, and a joint working lunch.
Ursula von der Leyen and Janez Janša at a press conference ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Press trip
In line with the tradition of countries holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Slovenia hosted correspondents from Brussels accredited at the EU institutions at the beginning of its Presidency. The correspondents spoke to the highest representatives of the Government about the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency, and had an opportunity to experience Slovenia as a boutique, sustainable and safe tourist destination.
More about the journalists' visit
Journalists ride a traditional pletna boat to Bled island ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Exhibition by Alan Hranitelj at the headquarters of the Council of the European Union in Brussels
Alan Hranitelj has won numerous awards for his work, both at home and abroad. The Mad Hatter's Wardrobe reveals the author's insight into the infinitely colourful world of patterns, materials, structures and reflections. The author has created an entire universe from classic, mostly monochromatic men's shirts, waistcoats, ties, shoes, hats and cuff links.
Exhibition by Alan Hranitelj at the headquarters of the Council of the European Union in Brussels ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Bled Strategic Forum
The 16th Bled Strategic Forum was one of the main events held during the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The programme of the Slovenian Presidency and the programme of this year's Bled Strategic Forum were designed to find solutions to existing challenges and to turn our attention to the future of Europe.
Bled Strategic Forum ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Perpetuum Jazzile tour
One of the main cultural events of the Presidency was the concert tour of the Perpetuum Jazzile Choir, a global musical phenomenon. A very special feature of the choir is that they perform without any instrumental backing, all sound effects being created a cappella. They performed a wide repertoire of both Slovenian and different European songs, conveying a message that Europe is without borders.
Perpetuum Jazzile tour ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
European Week of Sport
The European Week of Sport is an initiative of the European Commission to promote sport and physical activity in Europe. It was organised for the fourth time during the Presidency and was attended by a large number of children and young people from all over Slovenia in Tivoli Park in Ljubljana.
European Week of Sport ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
EU-Western Balkans Summit
Despite heavy rain, we successfully held the most important event of the Slovenian Presidency - the EU-Western Balkans Summit.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at Brdo pri Kranju ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Slovenian contemporary art exhibition
During the Slovenian Presidency, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted an exhibition of Slovenian contemporary fine art entitled We Live in Interesting Times. The exhibition was the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Koroška in Slovenj Gradec and the European Parliament.
Slovenian contemporary art exhibition ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Slovenian Week in Brussels
At the beginning of December, Slovenia organised the Slovenian Festival in Brussels, where we presented Slovenian culture and held a discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence on society. The highlight of the festival was the visit by Slovenian athletes, who took part in a panel discussion on the role of sport in society.
Children look at the Slovenian humanoid robot Eva ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
The Slovenian cyclist Primož Roglič and the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Simona Kustec, at the panel discussion on sport ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
18 informal ministerial meetings in Slovenia
It is customary for the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU to organise informal meetings at which ministers discuss substantive EU-related issues and try to make progress on legislative work in a more relaxed atmosphere. As many as 18 such meetings were held under the Slovenian Presidency.
The Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, and the Director-General at the European Commission, Kerstin Jorna, at an informal meeting of EU internal market and industry ministers ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
The Slovenian Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, and EU High Representative Josep Borrell talking at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers ©Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
More news on this topic
Slovenian Christmas decorations
Behind the curtain of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU
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