By Ambassador Peter Javorčík, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the EU.
Slovakia has assumed its Presidency role at a time when the European Union finds itself in an unprecedented situation. The negative outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU has presented us with a new challenge and for the first time, we have to cope with a Member State leaving our family.
Migration, internal security, a rise in extremism and radicalism, fading trust of citizens in the common project or instability at the EU’s backyard are also among acute challenges that affect the union’s overall shape.
The Presidency priorities centre around four ambitions: to make the European economy stronger; to modernise and broaden the single market in areas such as energy and the digital economy; to work towards sustainable migration and asylum policy; and to be more engaged with our external environment, namely through strong trade and enlargement policy. At the same time, there is a common denominator for these priority areas.
Firstly, it is our aim to overcome fragmentation – by being an engine of positive agenda and an advocate of long-term solutions that unite us and work on the ground. Secondly, we are determined to deliver tangible results for our citizens – something that could help strengthen their connection to the EU.
Some of these ambitions have already materialised into concrete results during the initial month of our Presidency. We opened two chapters in accession talks with Serbia. The Council agreed its position on the EU budget for 2017 ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament. In addition, we reached a Member States’ agreement on the order of rotating Presidencies in the light of the UK referendum result.
We are about to enter busy and demanding four months, with many tasks lying ahead. One of them attracts particular attention – the Bratislava summit of 27 EU leaders on 16 September. There is a strong feeling that at this juncture, it is vital for the EU to focus on essentials that resonate with citizens, and to strengthen their enthusiasm for the European project.
Of course, it is crucial to set the right expectations by stressing that the Bratislava summit is the beginning of a process which is set to culminate around the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties. Slovakia will no longer be in the driving Presidency seat. However, our firm commitment is to contribute as much as possible to the process.
That is precisely why the Presidency will also continue to put a strong emphasis on positive projects that first, unite us, and second, deliver tangible results for citizens across the EU. Whatever the critics say, there is no better alternative to mutual cooperation.
Photography by Mission of Slovakia to the EU.
