Portugal Symbolically Hands Over EU Presidency to Slovenia

Škofije, 22 December - Portugal symbolically handed over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenia on Saturday, as Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates gave Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa an astrolabe, a seafaring navigation instrument, so that Slovenia could "successfully steer the EU ship" when it assumes the EU presidency on 1 January.

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

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