The Prime Minister opened the lunch by commending Portugal for a good and successful presidency. As the pandemic decreased in spring, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU was a kind of transition to the normal operation of the EU institutions. According to the Prime Minister, key challenges for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU are tackling the COVID-19 situation, economic reconstruction, strengthening resilience, the Conference on the Future of Europe and EU enlargement.

Slovenia wants as many live events as possible to take place during its presidency of the Council of the EU, at the same time carefully and closely monitoring the development of the epidemic, aware of the danger of its potential fourth wave. Regarding the Conference on the Future of Europe, Prime Minister Janša pointed out that Slovenia is showing a growing interest in it. All levels of discussion will be open to anyone wishing to participate.

EU enlargement as one of the central priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU is a key strategic response to the many problems faced by its immediate neighbourhood. The EU and Western Balkan countries must work together towards the enlargement. Therefore, Slovenia will host the EU-Western Balkans summit on 6 October. Attention will also be paid to the eastern neighbourhood and its challenges. A summit with the Eastern Partnership countries is expected to take place in Brussels in December.

Other equally important topics that the Slovenian Presidency will address are migration and the green and digital transition. The Prime Minister and the ambassadors also exchanged views on relations with China, Russia and the United States.