Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LJUBLJANA773
2004-08-18 04:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:  

SLOVENIA'S EC PORTFOLIO COMPLEMENTS NATIONAL

Tags:  PREL TSPL SI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000773 

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TSPL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA'S EC PORTFOLIO COMPLEMENTS NATIONAL
STRATEGY

REF: LJUBLJANA 726

Sensitive but Unclassified, please treat accordingly.

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000773

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TSPL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA'S EC PORTFOLIO COMPLEMENTS NATIONAL
STRATEGY

REF: LJUBLJANA 726

Sensitive but Unclassified, please treat accordingly.


1. (U) By all accounts the European Commission Science and
Research portfolio assigned to Slovene Commissioner Janez
Potocnik is a positive development for Slovenia. Both the
ruling coalition and opposition parties view this portfolio,
as opposed to the EU Enlargement portfolio many expected for
Potocnik, as more in line with Slovenia's natiional strategy
for growth and development. The Government of Slovenia
believes that Potocnik's assignment at the EC will contribute
to Slovenia's own development as a scienctific research and
technology center. While expanding the European Union south
and east through the Balkans remains a top priority, Slovenia
views Barroso's entrusting Potocnik with this portfolio as
confirmation that Slovenia, though small, has signifcant and
varied contributions to make to Europe.

2.(SBU) Comment: While there was a great deal of
speculation and really expectation that Slovenia's
commissioner would receive the enlargement portfolio,
Slovenia may now find it somewhat easier to deal firmly with
Croatia on border issues. It will be much easier to avoid
the appearance of trying to leverage its role in expansion to
gain advantage in the dispute with Croatia. End Comment
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