[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 115 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SLOVENIA TAKES THE HELM

  (Mr. GOSAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the chairman of the U.S. 
Slovenia Friendship Caucus to commemorate today, July 1, as the first 
day of the Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the European Union.
  Slovenia takes the helm of one of the EU's main decisionmaking bodies 
at a challenging time not just for the EU, but for the world at large. 
Slovenia will manage a Europe working to control the COVID pandemic, 
seeking to repair the economic and social damage from this virus; all 
the while dealing with the ongoing and critical issues with the EU and 
the U.S., such as countering Chinese and Russian influence, bolstering 
cybersecurity, and charting an economic path for the future.
  As Slovenia begins its 6-month presidency, it is doing so under the 
slogan, ``Together. Resilient. Europe,'' which outlines an agenda where 
Slovenia seeks to facilitate the European recovery while also 
reflecting on Europe's future, strengthening the rule of law and 
European values, and increasing security and stability in the European 
neighborhood.
  Slovenia officials have also made their intentions known to Balkanize 
the EU through engaging Western Balkan states which have yet been able 
to join.
  Slovenia's presidential platform makes it clear they are up to the 
unique challenge. The challenge is not just recovering from a once-in-
a-generation pandemic, but thinking strategically to promote a more 
resilient Europe in the future.
  I wish our strong friend and ally, Slovenia, all the best.

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