The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council Janez Janša today, at the invitation of the President of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos, attended the opening ceremony to celebrate the adoption of the euro in the Republic of Cyprus. The official ceremony in Nicosia, at which Mr Janša delivered an address, was attended not only by the Cypriot President but also by President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, Vice-President of the European Parliament Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet and other distinguished guests. The Slovenian Prime Minister stressed that the adoption of the euro was a great and demanding project for every country. He therefore congratulated Cyprus on its successful adoption of the single European currency and commended it on its sound public finances and excellent macroeconomic indicators.
Mr Janša declared that the euro is a stable and respected currency which has a beneficial effect on international economic cooperation and, hence, also on job creation. Moreover, it brings many advantages - both for the economy and for consumers. Participating in European monetary union is a great responsibility, requiring commitment to the shared goals of political and economic stability. At this juncture, Mr Janša expressed his sincere wish that the number of countries in the eurozone would increase further in 2009.
Before the opening ceremony, the Slovenian Prime Minister Mr Janša also met the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, who also acts as Prime Minister. Mr Janša stressed that the adoption of the euro in Cyprus was an important step not only for Cyprus but for the European Union as a whole. He said it was clear proof that European monetary union was not some kind of private or closed club. “It is an open club, open to all EU Member States that meet the required conditions.”
The Cypriot President thanked Prime Minister Janez Janša for Slovenia's assistance in the introduction of the euro. He mentioned that Slovenia had been the first of the new Member States of the European Union to change over to the euro and that Slovenia's representatives had assisted throughout the process in Cyprus with their experience and advice.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša outlined to his host the priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, highlighting the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and stressing the importance of completing ratification by the EU Member States by the end of 2008. The two leaders pointed out that both Slovenia and Cyprus intended to achieve this within the six months of the Slovenian Presidency. Mr Papadopoulos expressed his support for all the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency and wished Mr Janša every success.
In their talks they also touched on the Cypriot issue and advocated its resolution under the auspices of the United Nations. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša assured the Cypriot President of the Republic of Slovenia's full support and solidarity.
