EU Enlargement
Third Concern: Further Enlargement of the Bloc. The European Parliament Liaison Office’s representative emphasized that Slovenia advocates for the Western Balkans integration in the EU. First, because Slovenia doesn’t want this geostrategic vacuum to be filled by Russia and China. Second, because Slovenia is part of the region. That is why it is striving for further integration with its neighbors, not only politically but also in the areas of transport, digitalization, environmental and climate action. To push for Western Balkans enlargement, Slovenia will host an EU summit with representatives of the six Balkan countries on October 6, in Ljubljana. This summit was welcomed by the participants. However, some attendees expressed concerns about the unanimity principle weakening the capacity of an enlarged EU to act. They would only support an EU enlargement if there were reforms, i.e. abolishing of the right of veto.