In the framework of Slovenian EU Presidency, the Ministry of Health shall organize several events; conferences, ministerial meetings, regular EU and WHO meetings as well as all the activities that go along.
SHORT INTRODUCTION BY ZOFIJA MAZEJ KUKOVIČ,
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a challenge for every Member State. For Slovenia, which is taking over the Presidency on 1 January 2008, the challenge is even greater, as we are the first of the new Member States to take on the task. We have before us the difficult tasks of coordinating the efforts of the 27 Member States and the institutions of the European Union, bringing to bear our common interests in the international community and worldwide and, first and foremost, fulfilling the expectations of European citizens. Our mission can be summed up in a single word – synergy, the motto of the Slovenian Presidency.
In the area of public health, we are working on the basis of the 18-month programme of the consecutive Presidencies of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, which established the priorities of health promotion and disease prevention, supporting innovation and improving the accessibility of healthcare.
Slovenia will pinpoint reducing the burden of cancer as its priority. This is not a random decision. Cancer undoubtedly represents one of the most significant public health problems in all the Member States of the European Union. At the same time, there are differences between the Member States, and within them, in terms of how successful and effective they are in preventing and controlling the disease. A comprehensive, integrated approach is needed at all levels, ranging from disease prevention, the organisation of screenings and early detection to optimising treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care, while also investing in research in all the above areas. A further precondition for success is the active participation of civil society and non-governmental organisations – especially groups that defend the interests of patients – in decision-making processes.
The conference " The Burden of Cancer-How Can it be Reduced?" will bring together leading international experts in the area of research into and control of cancer as well as key policy-makers in the field. Our aim is not only to initiate professional debate but also to adopt political commitments. In this way we aim to promote a synergy between different initiatives that will produce real results. Lately we have seen many political initiatives in the European Parliament, European Commission, World Health Organisation and NGOs on stepping up activities aimed at controlling cancer. We are positive that, with increased political commitment, we will contribute to evening out some of the inequalities in the burden of this disease.
The second area where Slovenia would like to initiate political debate during its Presidency is antimicrobial resistance. This represents one of the most serious threats in combating communicable diseases. The greater mobility of patients makes the problem even more acute; political support for following up activities to control it is therefore vital.
During the Presidency, we intend to devote special attention to implementing policies to reduce the alcohol related harm. The third European Conference on alcohol will deal with this topic. We also wish to continue work and evaluate progress in the area of healthy diet and physical activity and present successful cases of investing in health as an integral part of the economic and social development of various environments. The Presidency will also support efforts for enhanced cooperation and a common approach on improving mental health.
Among the most important topics let us mention the exchange of experience and good practices in the area of pricing policy and reimbursement of pharmaceuticals. Long term, in this area we would like to promote networking, which would enable greater transparency and help optimise the use of resources.
Information technologies are assuming a decisive role in ensuring more accessible, high-quality, cost-effective, sustainable and safe healthcare for our citizens. The experience and perspectives of “e-Health without frontiers” will be the subject of a conference in May 2008.
During the Presidency the utmost attention will be paid to the discussion of legislative and other proposals in the Council.
The recently adopted EU Health Strategy "Together for Health" 2008-2013 has re-stated the commitment of the Member States and the European Community to the common values of universality, accessibility to high-quality healthcare, equity and solidarity, health in all policies and regarding health as a factor in development. The Strategy represents guidelines and an instrument for more successfully tackling contemporary challenges in the field of health policy and achieving our strategic goals: promoting good health in an ageing society, protecting citizens from health threats, generating solid and adaptable healthcare systems and new technological developments. We will seek solutions that ensure that the Health Strategy is rolled out successfully.
Discussions will focus on possible longer-term solutions in the area of cross-border healthcare, and patient and medical professionals mobility. We undertake to discuss the legislative proposals on the agenda with the utmost seriousness. Such proposals, based on agreed policy and the guidelines of the Council, and consistent with the common values and principles of European healthcare systems, must, like all other measures, ensure greater legal certainty and clarity regarding the application of Community law and contribute to improving accessibility to high-quality, safe health services within the European Union.
A package of Regulations on food improvement agents has been pending for some time. In this process we have the important task of reaching agreement with the European Parliament on the text. We will also launch the discussion of a proposal for a Regulation on novel foods. And in the area of foodstuffs, we expect that, during our Presidency, the European Commission will adopt a long-awaited proposal amending the legislation on the labelling of foodstuffs.
The Slovenian Presidency wishes to make a constructive contribution to promoting the European Union's interests in the area of public health within the World Health Organization, the United Nations and other global initiatives.
Cooperation is the essential precondition for improving the health of people throughout Europe and the world. We are sure that the combined efforts of the three successive Presidencies of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia will make it easier to achieve the goals that have been set.
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