Presidency of Slovenia of the E.U. Council

Presidency of Slovenia of the E.U. Council

1st February 2008
Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens, "MELINA"
Athens

The European Organisation for Strategic Planning, with the occasion of the assumption of the Presidency of the European Union Council by Slovenia, organised a conference on 1st February 2008 in Athens with subject: "Presidency of Slovenia of the E.U. Council"

On 1st January 2008, Slovenia would assume for the first semester of the year the Presidency of the European Union Council. Even though each Presidency has its own importance for the course of Europe, however it can be sustained that the presidencies of 2008 would be determinant for the historical evolution of the Union.

The Old Continent is at a critical historical turn, at an economic and political crossroad and the direction, which it is called to choose and follow, will draw forever the afterward course.
A series of issues make the Presidency of Slovenia of eminent importance for Europe and for Greece, more specifically:

- The European Union is facing a chain of crises, economic and political, as much on a nations' level as on an institutional level. Some examples only are the loud no of France and Netherlands, two of the foundation members of EU, to the Constitutional Treaty, as well as the wreckage of the budget.
- The incorporating course of the candidate countries - members, with specific emphasis to the case of Turkey, a debatable candidature, that no only concerns to a great degree Greece but has divided the total of the European structure. Besides Turkey, the issue of the Balkans will be put on the tapis, which concerns Greece for geostrategic and historic reasons.
- There are other issues that EU will be called to face, like the application of the reformed Strategy of Lisbon and its relations with the Islam in combination with the combat of terrorism.

Program:

1st February 2008
Hall "Melina"
Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens, Iraklidon 66, Thisio

18.00 Opening of Proceedings - Participants' Arrival
18.00-18.15 Greeting - President of the 3rd Partition of the Municipality of Athens, Giorgos Stathis
18.15-18.30 Greeting - Representative of EOSP
18.30-18.40 Director of the European Parliament Office in Greece, Georgios Kasimatis
18.40-18.50 European Commission, Representation in Greece, Coordinator of Europe Direct Network, Katerina Sokoli
18.50 -19.15 Greetings - Representatives of the Political Parties
19.15-19.30 Ambassador of Slovenia in Athens, Mr.Vladimir Kolmanic
19.30-19.45 "Viable Cities - Human Neighbourhoods in the new European environment" Member of European Parliament, Stavros Arnaoutakis
19.45-20.00 "European Neighbourhood Policy" Member of European Parliament, Manolis Aggelakas