Brdo pri Kranju - Prime Minister Janez Janša met ambassadors of EU member states to Slovenia on Tuesday, an event organised by the German EU presidency. The PM answered questions from ambassadors concerning the most recent EU summit, the main challenges for next year and Slovenia's preparations for its EU presidency in the second half of 2021.

The PM's office said in a press release that Janša had pointed to the successful response by the EU to the economic consequences of the pandemic, as the bloc agreed on the recovery fund alongside the next multi-year budget.

The compromise reached last week by heads of state removed the last hurdles for the implementation of the agreement, Janša said. This was a big achievement of great political and economic importance, in which the German presidency played a decisive role, he said.

Janša believes that the key challenge for the EU next year will be the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the coming months, which he believes could be even more demanding than so far.

However, the launch of vaccination in EU member states will be of great help in stopping the spreading of the virus, Janša believes.

Another key challenge, in his view, will be the implementation of EU Council decisions, above all those related to climate change.

Touching on Slovenia's preparations for its presidency, Janša presented two key priorities: a comprehensive strategy with elements of pushing back against a potential new pandemic and cyber security.

Moreover, Slovenia will continue to advocate EU enlargement to the Western Balkans and will also focus on the southern Mediterranean, Janša said, adding that there can be no stability in the EU without stability in its southern neighbourhood.