By: Sara Kovač
German Chancellor Angela Merkel informed colleagues from other member states at the EU summit today that she would try to find an acceptable solution in the coming days in talks with Poland and Hungary to approve the Union’s recovery package needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to her, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša also called for a compromise. “Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša once again called on everyone to strive to find a compromise, which, of course, the German presidency wants as well,” she said. The media reported the exact opposite and wanted to create the impression that the Slovenian Prime Minister is causing discord and shame on the country, which clearly is not the case.
An informal video conference of representatives of the European Council took place yesterday, which was attended by Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša. The discussion among the members of the European Council focused on the issue of testing and mutual recognition of tests, including rapid antigen tests, vaccine development, preparation for vaccination, logistical conditions and national vaccination strategies. All leaders welcomed the common approach to financing the development and joint procurement of vaccines, which is being implemented by the Commission for all Member States.
Prime Minister presented the situation of the second wave of the epidemic in Slovenia. Fortunately, more people left hospitals in recent days than were admitted because of COVID-19 infection. But the number of infection is still very high. We have started introducing rapid tests in Slovenia, and we are also preparing a national vaccination program. Reliable predictions about when the vaccine will be available in large quantities are very important for the planning of measures and also for the effect on the perception of the general public. If it is not going to be available in large quantities soon, Slovenia will probably carry out general testing, similar to Slovakia, in order to try to limit and stop the epidemic as much as possible.
Janša: It is necessary to find a compromise in line with the July agreement
At the meeting, the German Presidency presented the state of negotiations for the final approval of the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Package. Prime Minister Janez Janša pointed out that a very important agreement had been reached with joint efforts in July, and that a final compromise now needs to be reached based on the July agreement. Regarding the conditionality of the rule of law, he pointed out that the final assessment must always be in the hands of the EU Court of Justice, otherwise it would reflect a political decision, which is not in line with the principles of the rule of law. Slovenia is ready to offer concrete ideas in finding ways to compromise. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, emphasized that we needed an agreement between all the Member States and that efforts to do so would continue.