In attendance are 35 delegations from EU member-countries and Southeast Europe, and representatives of a number of international organisations and initiatives, including the special coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, Erhard Busek.
Croatia's representative, European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, told Croatian reporters Croatia welcomed Slovenia's initiative to set up a support centre for EU candidate-countries and those counting on membership.
She said the experience of Slovenia and other countries which entered the Union in May was fresh and therefore important for Croatia and other countries in the EU integration process, especially in order to avoid mistakes and apply good advice on reforms and the absorption of pre-accession funds.
The conference was opened by Slovenia's European Affairs Minister Milan Cvikl instead of Prime Minister Anton Rop. Cvikl said the Slovene government would set aside one million euros from next year's national budget for the support centre for EU candidate-countries and those applying for membership, to be based in Slovenia, but that it also counted on international donations.
The closed-door conference has two topics -- the needs and expectations of countries with European prospects, and ways of meeting their expectations.