Europe

Home page

Europe

Slovenia needs more reforms: Van Rompuy

04 February 2014 00:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. -- The European Union (EU) expected Slovenia to continue its effort in reforms in the fields of economy, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said here on Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

After his talks with Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek, Van Rompuy told reporters that Slovenia did a lot last year in overcoming financial crisis.

However, he added that the Slovenian government need to take more measures in reforms of the pensions system, the labor market and the banking sector to beef up the competitiveness of the country.

Following years of economic depression, Bratusek and her cabinet started with the EU's approval last year National Reform Program in 2013-2014 and the Stability Program.

The EU recommended Slovenia last year to fix the banks, continue with privatization and fiscal consolidation, address excessive real sector debt, improve competitiveness and pursue further pension and labour market reform.

Being part of his regular visits to EU capitals, Van Rompuy's latest visit to Ljubljana is the 6th of its kind since he was appointed as the first permanent president of the European Council in November 2009.

Van Rompuy's talks with Bratusek was reportedly focused on topics that will dominate the March EU summit, including the European industrial policy, energy and climate goals.

In addition to his meeting with Bratusek, Van Rompuy also had talks with Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Parliament Speaker Janko Veber.