EU Presidency

Slovenia has become the first new member of the European Union to hold the rotating presidency of the block.

The European Commission met with the Slovenian cabinet on the 8th of January to discuss the priorities of the EU during Slovenia's term at the helm of the bloc in the first half of the year. Margot Wallstroem answered "the goal for 2008 was to have a Europe of results."

There has been confidence in the success of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU. According to Jansa, the presidency will tailor its activities in order to provide for smooth ratification of the recently-signed EU reform treaty. Their goal is to have the document in force by 2009.

Another item high on the agenda of the talks was the future of the Western Balkans. The talks produced a concrete initiative; Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel announced plans for an EU task force that would  help Serbia with its accession efforts. 

On the homefront in Slovenia, several dozen people turned out in front of the Serbian Orthodox church in Ljubljana to protest against the independence of Kosovo. Not atypically, it passed peacefully.

Apparently Slovenia has great metal

I'm two years older than Slovenia. It declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Dude. And unlike Croatia or Bosnia, Slovenia's independence was basically bloodless. Overall, it's been doing pretty well for itself. The media scene is free and diverse, and the constitution supports freedom of expression. There are only about 2 million people there and it's apparently the most prosperous region of the former Yugoslavia. If you want to read general information, I'm a strong fan of Wikipedia.

This Slovenian blogger has some interesting stuff to say about Freedom.

Slovenian music. It's only a smidge different from Finland's contribution to Eurovision.

This makes me feel like I have now traveled to Slovenia. Okay.

Although I don't think I could make it out alive after watching these guys.

CIA World Factbook gives a much drier view of their population. They have a 99.7% literacy rate. Damn.

So, before you read this article about Slovenia Places to Say "I Do" you should all make sure to check out this important piece of fine journalism Is Slovenia Right For my Children? heheh pertinent. Those are from a generally stand up English written Slovenian newspaper. The Slovenian Times.

Slovenian Press Agency

Cheers.