LONDON: SLOVENE MINISTER SPEAKS OF WESTERN BALKANS

LJUBLJANA/LONDON, March 3 (Hina) - Slovenia's minister for European affairs and newly-elected European commissioner Janez Potocnik said in London on Wednesday the EU had to take the Western Balkans into consideration for future enlargement. To help the region's countries prepare for admission, the EU should increase its financial aid to them, he added.#L# According to Slovenia's STA news agency, Potocnik mentioned the Western Balkans in an address on European Union enlargement and Slovenia's position on the post-enlargement situation in the EU, delivered at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Potocnik said Slovenia primarily wanted to be a model of successful transition for the region's countries. He said that Europe was currently turning its focus from the Western Balkans, but warned that despite everything, the region must be on the map of future enlargement. The EU should increase financial aid to countries in the region so as to help them prepare for admission, Potocnik said. According to STA, Potocnik cautioned that freezing budgetary expenditure in the EU to one percent of GDP would be harmful as it would reduce the chances of the European cohesion policy as the foundation of the principle of solidarity in Europe. He said that if accepted, it would also raise the question of financing a joint agricultural policy. (Hina) ha sb