Slovenian Ambassador to the United States Samuel Zbogar spoke at the National Press Club in Washington on Slovenia’s assumption of the presidency of the European Union and its priorities while it holds that presidency through June 30. Ambassador Zbogar is no stranger to Cleveland and the Cleveland Club; he ran in the Cleveland Marathon and he spoke at the luncheon honoring Senator George Voinovich in 2006 when the Senator was presented the Club’s Harold Hitz Burton Award. Ambassador Zbogar noted that Slovenia is the first of the new Eastern European member countries to hold the presidency of the European Union. He said that the Slovenian presidency has several priorities. First is to strengthen the European Union, to make it more effective and to streamline its operations. Second is to work at enlarging the European Union, looking especially at admitting Turkey and Croatia and then at Georgia and the Ukraine. Third is to stress the European Union as a global player; this would take the form of security missions and charitable efforts. Ambassador Zbogar also said that the EU under the Slovenian presidency would be working toward greater energy independence for its member countries and will make new efforts at slowing global warming. And it will begin new discussions about cultural diversity. Ambassador Zbogar said that the EU will hold a summit conference with the United States in Slovenia in the spring to discuss regional and security issues, international trade and climate change. Asked if Slovenia would recognize Kosovo if Kosovo broke away from Serbia, Ambassador Zbogar demurred, saying Slovenia’s Parliament would have to decide if and when that time came.