The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, has paid an official visit to Slovenia, where he met Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša. The purpose of the visit was to exchange views regarding the general financial and economic situation in the Eurozone, elaboration of the European strategy for growth and investments, the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 and other important European issues. After their talks, the European Council President and Slovenian PM held a joint press conference at which they emphasised the close connection between the measures ensuring the stability of public finances and those ensuring growth.

There is no more ''either – or'', but rather ''and – and'', said PM Janša, who stressed that dealing with this artificial dilemma has already produced some negative consequences in the public. According to him, this artificial dilemma has produced false illusions, as it raises hope that there is an easier way out of the crisis and that we do not need to tighten our belts.

PM Janša made it clear that policies which diverge from the consolidation of public finances are detrimental to growth, as they narrow the manoeuvring space for investment and other measures for growth. He added that there is an absolute connection between the consolidation of public finances, structural reforms, investments for growth and measures to create jobs.

President of the European Council Van Rompuy said that Slovenia is remarkable in many ways, since it was the first former Yugoslav country to join the European Union and also to join the Eurozone. Slovenia was also among the first to ratify the European stability mechanism and the fiscal compact treaty. “In the current stormy times, when European responsibility is sometimes in short supply, we do not take this for granted,” added Van Rompuy.

PM Janez Janša said that he was pleased with the support that the President of the European Council has shown for the Slovenian measures for exiting the crisis, while the President of the European Council stressed that sound public finances are a precondition for the European growth agenda to work. He emphasised that Slovenia and its government were on the right track, and expressed confidence that a consensus could continue to be found on necessary economic reforms, including with social partners.

The European Council President and PM Janša also agreed that the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans countries, which – according to Janez Janša – Slovenia has been supporting for many years now, remains on the agenda even in these times of crisis. The President of the European Council thanked PM Janez Janša for his experience in promoting good neighbourly relations and cooperation in the region, which is a valuable asset for the whole EU.