Slovenian Ministers present the EU Council's priorities of the Slovenian Presidency during EP Committee meetings, in the European Parliament in Brussels. Jože PODGORŠEK, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and Andrej VIZJAK, Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning at the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI); Anže LOGAR, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) (14/07); Zdravko POČIVALŠEK, Minister of Economic Development and Technology and Simona KUSTEC, Minister of Education, Science and Sport at the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) (15/07).

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

meeting

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Slovenian Presidency of the EU (T)

LOGAR, Anže (SI)

VIZJAK, Andrej (SI)

PODGORŠEK, Jože (SI)

POČIVALŠEK, Zdravko (SI)

KUSTEC, Simona (SI)

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Slovenian Ministers: extracts from the EP committee meetings (part 2)

Title: Presentation of the EU Council&apos;s priorities by Slovenian Ministers: extracts from the EP committee meetings (part 2)

Arrival of Jože PODGOR&Scaron;EK, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Jože PODGOR&Scaron;EK, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, The Committee of the European Parliament plays an important role in the joint adoption of the important legislative proposals in the field of safe food veterinary and plant protection strategy, developed to get civil biodiversity. We outlined a new direction of development where we need to take into account economic, social and environmental aspects of European agriculture, as well as ensure sufficient food supply. So I look forward to working closely with you and hope that we will make progress on the legislative proposals ahead. (3 shots)

Arrival of Andrej VIZJAK, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning. (5 shots)

Handshake between Andrej VIZJAK, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, and Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), ENVI Committee Chair. (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Andrej VIZJAK, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, We have to find balanced compromise answers to these questions. We will look for compromise solutions to the Environment Council Decision for four legislative acts. Namely, we will discuss the modernisation of the Emissions Trading System, the adjustment of the rules in this sector and the regulation on setting the burdens of the land use framework and change of land and forestry use, the regulation and the strengthening of emission standards for road vehicles. I should also mention the consideration of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which is a rather important legislative act aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy. (1 shot)

Arrival of Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Committee Chair, Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, let's continue our meeting. The minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. Dear minister, warm welcome to the European Parliament. You will today present us the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of the year 2021, with particular reference, of course, to the external dimension. (5 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, While respecting the leading role of the high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Slovenian presidency will contribute to an effective promotion of the EU interest and values in the world. Slovenia will pay special attention to the western balkans. Sustainable development, stability and prosperity of the region are in the vital and strategic interest of the European Union. (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, A positive outlook for young people will also be amongst the Presidency priorities. In this context, we very much look forward to hosting the EU Western Balkan Summit in October. Our goal is to ensure a Euro-Atlantic perspective for the region and deliver on common issues in the context of strengthening the resilience of the Western Balkans countries. (2 shots)

Arrivals of Simona KUSTEC, Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport and Zdravko POČIVAL&Scaron;EK, Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology. (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Cristian-Silviu BU&#350;OI (EPP, RO), ITRE Committee Chair, Slovenian presidency of the Council of European Union. We have the honour to have with us, Mr. Zdravko Počival&scaron;ek, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, responsible, amongst others with industry, SMEs, space and innovation, over these areas that are extremely relevant and important for our Committee. And Ms. Simona Kustec, Minister of education, science and sport, and of course, for us is extremely important because she is responsible with research and innovation. (6 shots).

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Zdravko POČIVAL&Scaron;EK, Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Taking over the second Presidency of Slovenia, the Council of the European Union is pleased to be able to work together with all 26 Member States for a resilient Europe that will be better prepared for future challenges. (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Simona KUSTEC, Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Research and science are important carriers of what we call European society and European values. (1 shot)