Slovenia has taken over the presidency of the EU from Portugal.
The transfer took place at midnight and means that the small Alpine republic will oversee Europe's affairs for the next six months.
Yesterday Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Slovenia must have focus and determination to make a success of its six-month EU presidency. And he said Ireland was ready to help in any way it could.
The Taoiseach said he held talks with Prime Minister Janez Jansa on the margins of the EU Africa Summit in Lisbon a month ago.
Mr Ahern said Slovenia had made thorough preparations for its presidency.
'For a presidency to be successful it must have focus and determination. Smaller member states generally have fewer national interests to manage and this can mean that they are very well placed to manage EU business.'
Slovenia was formed in 1991 after gaining independence from Yugoslavia. It joined the EU on 1 May 2004 when Mr Ahern presided over Ireland's presidency of the Union.
Slovenia is expected to use its term to prioritise efforts to ratify the Reform Treaty as well as push for further progress on climate change and EU energy policy.
Mr Jansa may also use the presidency to lobby hard for fellow Balkan state, Kosovo, which is seeking independence from Serbia.
It is the first presidency of a member state which has joined the 27-nation bloc since 2000.
The Taoiseach urged Slovenia to open intensive contacts with other EU colleagues, which he said was time-consuming but essential to achieving agreement on issues.
Slovenia is also expected to use its presidency to help the EU accession process of fellow Balkan states like Croatia and Macedonia.
Croatia began accession talks in 2005 and could become the bloc's 28th member as soon as 2010.
Macedonia, which was recognised as an official candidate for membership two years ago, is still awaiting a start date for its entry negotiations.
