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Slovensko

The Government of Slovenia's commitment is clear - to become the full member of European Union in order to reinforce the country's status as an independent state, a strong democracy and a functioning market economy. Slovenia has set itself a target to be ready to accede to the EU by 1 January 2003.

Slovenia wishes to play a full part in the historic processes of enlarging the EU and reuniting of a stable, peaceful and prosperous continent. At the same time it expects to benefit from making its own contribution to EU political decision-making; from the dynamics of a large, fluid, open single market; from free trading within a customs union; and from having an active opinion and practical role in commonly agreed objectives and joint initiatives across transnational themes.

Relations between Slovenia and EU The relationship between Slovenia and the EU has evolved quickly and deepened dramatically since the EU first recognised the newly independent Republic of Slovenia in January 1992. After signing the EU Association Agreement in June 1996, 'avis' was issued by the European Commission in July 1997. The European Council in Luxembourg on 12 December 1997 stated that Slovenia should start the accession negotiations together with six other candidate countries (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Cyprus) The Europe Agreement entered into force on 1 February 1999. On 31 March 1998 the substantive negotiations for full membership of the European Union started. When the negotiations finish, an Accession Act will be drawn up and after the signature, a Slovene national referendum will be conducted to secure final approval from the Slovene people. The Accession Act will then have to be ratified by the Slovene Parliament, the European Parliament and 15 EU Member State Parliaments.

National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis Slovenia has prepared a National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), which is the key strategic instrument in the period of Slovenia's preparations for full membership in the EU. It was drawn up in order to provide a clear definition of the country's commitments and timetables for adoption of the Acquis.

It lists the fundamental legal acts which Slovenia will have to adopt by the end of 2002 and which will have to enter into force at least by the time Slovenia becomes an EU Member State, along with the regulations and institutions needed for implementation of the acquis. The implementation of the NPAA objectives involves all three branches of power - the legislative, executive and judicial - and requires that their activities be co-ordinated and conducted in compliance with the planned timetable. Proof that the Government's efforts have been going in the right direction is found in 2000 Regular Report from the European Commission on Slovenia's Progress. In its report the Commission says that Slovenia has significantly progressed over the last year. The European Commission is satisfied with the tempo with which Slovenia is harmonizing its legislation in key areas such as the internal market and agriculture. The country's macroeconomic situation is satisfactory too and Slovenia can be said to have a functioning market economy that will soon be able to face the competitive pressures of the EU market. While praising the general economic situation, the Commission emphasizes Slovenia has to speed the privatisation process, in particular of banks and insurance companies, and to increase the level of foreign investment in Slovenia.

Slovenia has already closed 20 chapters Slovenia submitted the position papers for all 29 chapters until December 1999. Relatively small number of transitional periods of a limited duration were sought by the Slovene side, mostly on financially demanding and sensitive fields. By the end of May 2001, with the closure of the chapter on culture and audio-visual policy, in addition to the chapter on external relations and development aid, Slovenia has reached a total of 20 closed chapters and is thus ranked among the most successful candidate countries.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 2001