"Slovenia has always advocated the continuation of the expansion of the European Union and supported activities by European countries aspiring to join the EU," Rop said at the start of the plenary session of the Central European Initiative (CEI) summit in the Slovene port of Portoroz on Friday.
The summit was held in the Slovene seaport to mark the end of Slovenia's year-long chairmanship over the 17-member group.
We have supported the admission of countries which will meet EU membership criteria. This remains our obligation in the future, too, Rop said.
Slovenia underlines the importance of the Stabilisation and Association process in western Balkan countries as well as the EU programmes for countries in its neighbourhood, including Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, so that those countries can use the positive effects of the EU expansion.
Commenting on the 15th anniversary of the CEI, Rop said the Initiative was facing new challenges after the latest EU enlargement wave.
Today's event is an occasion for an analysis of models for strengthening the Initiative as an area for the exchange of experience and assistance in the promotion of freedom, democracy and welfare in Europe, the outgoing Slovene PM said.