Informal meeting of Directors General for European Affairs in Prague

The Directors General exchanged views on the Presidency’s priorities, notably on ensuring energy security following the Russian aggression against Ukraine and on the European perspective for the Western Balkan countries.

The Directors-General discussed plans to ensure sufficient supplies of energy products and discussed the possibility of additional measures that could be taken by EU member states in anticipation of the coming winter, with some countries already faced with energy supply disruptions.

Acting Director General Škrilec stressed the importance of preventive action, diversification of sources and routes, as well as solidarity and closer cooperation between EU member states. She underlined the importance of establishing supply agreements between neighboring countries and setting transparent rules on energy sharing in due time. In the long term, Slovenia is focusing on energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy sources.

Priorities of the Czech Presidency include EU enlargement and the Western Balkan region. Presenting Slovenia’s perspective on EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, Acting Director General Škrilec highlighted Slovenia’s efforts to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status and continue the timetable with d ‘other countries. Enlargement is a geopolitical issue linked to the credibility of the EU, which must remain at the fore in the framework of the latest debates on the enlarged neighborhood and the future of the European continent.

Member States expressed broad support for the priorities of the Czech Presidency, which over the next six months will focus on managing the refugee crisis, post-war reconstruction in Ukraine, energy security and strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities. It will also work towards the strategic resilience of the European economy and the resilience of democratic institutions.