NEW HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION MEETS PRESIDENT KUCAN

Ljubljana, 7 June 2000



The President of the Republic, Milan Kucan, today received credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador/Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Eric van der Linden. In the Ambassador’s assessment Slovenia is making rapid progress in EU negotiations and is, according to the European Commission, currently among the top candidates. He also emphasised, however, that the most demanding stage of negotiations is now beginning on those chapters where coordination will be most difficult and shall therefore require much will and effort from both parties. An equal assessment was given as to the process of institutional reform in the EU, which is now entering its final, most demanding phase.

In his reply, President Kucan expressed his expectation that Slovenia will not face more difficult conditions than other candidates, as was the case in negotiations for associated membership. He also stated that the government crisis would not affect Slovenia's preparations for membership since both EU and NATO membership represent Slovenia's overall strategic goals to which all of us are bound. The President also expressed his hope that the EU will be able to complete its institutional reform in the envisaged timeframe and thus become ready to receive new members.