Goetz addressed deputies in the Slovene parliament to inform them of the tasks of the German presidency of the European Union. He spoke to members of the parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and European issues, stressing that the main tasks were to find a solution to the crisis within the bloc, inform people about the EU and give a new impetus to the integration process.
The main priorities of the joint programme of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia in presiding the EU are long-term in character and include the issue of the constitution, the energy policy, the enlargement policy, dialogue among cultures, migrations, the asylum policy, the Schengen zone, the security policy and the policy towards neighbouring countries, Goetz said.
Speaking about western Balkan countries, one of the priorities of Germany's presidency of the EU, Goetz said his country counted on Slovenia's expert knowledge, adding he would advocate the strengthening of European forces in the region so as to increase security in those countries.