Počivalšek and Reynders discuss consumer protection
Ljubljana - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek met European Commissioner for Justice and Consumer Protection Didier Reynders on Wednesday to discuss the priorities of Slovenia's coming presidency of the Council of the EU in terms of consumer protection. Slovenia supports an ambitious take on the bloc's consumer policy, said Počivalšek.
"Slovenia strives to set up a well-oiled internal market that would ensure a high level of security in light of speedy development and modern technologies, and strengthen consumer trust.
"The main task of our presidency is to see to it that cooperation between all member states is good and that there is progress regarding individual acts," Počivalšek said as quoted by his ministry.
Slovenia supports an ambitious approach to EU consumer policy as well as upgrading efforts to protect consumer rights, he said.
Maintaining consumer trust in the internal market and digital technology and facilitating the circular economy transition are some of the priorities of the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021, the minister noted.
Počivalšek and Reynders attended an online debate titled New Consumer Agenda: Digital and Green Transformation of the EU where the Slovenian minister said that consumers and companies were adopting to the new reality and technological breakthroughs.
Therefore, they are faced with challenges that need to be met by appropriate legislation, effective monitoring and cooperation between competent authorities, he added.
The areas, summed up by the new consumer agenda, are necessary to ensure a strong, united and effective EU that would be capable of dealing with internal as well as external challenges while looking for right solutions for all its citizens.
Rapid changes, digitalisation and the Covid-19 pandemic have brought to light that efforts to establish proper regulation in the next five years, particularly in terms of the EU digital and green transformation, are key, the ministry said in a press release.