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Membership in NATO is Slovenia's national strategic priority, which enjoys wide support of the majority of parliamentary parties as well as of the public. Slovenia wants to become a member of NATO due to its fundamental values as well as vital national and strategic security interests. The Government is aware that in order to attain this goal, Slovenia will have to secure relevant funds and to coordinate the actions of the relevant ministries and government offices. At the Washington Summit in 1999, NATO confirmed its commitment to further enlargement in compliance with the principle of the "Open Door" policy. This gives aspirant countries, including Slovenia, the hope of receiving an invitation already at the next Summit, in Prague in 2002. Slovenia hopes to be among the first candidates invited and has been making serious preparations to this end.

Relationship between Slovenia and NATO In February 1998, the Government confirmed the "National Strategy for Accession of the Republic of Slovenia to NATO", which was also approved by the National Assembly and later submitted to the Alliance. In October 1999, the Government adopted the "Annual National Programme for the Implementation of the Membership Action Plan" and submitted it to NATO. On the basis of the assessment of the implementation of the first "Membership Action Plan" and NATO's "Report on the Progress of Slovenia", the Government adopted, in September 2000, the "Annual National Programme for the Implementation of the Membership Action Plan 2000 - 2001", and submitted it to NATO that same month. "The Membership Action Plan 2001-2002" is being prepared and will be submitted to NATO in the Autumn of 2002.

Slovenia's Active Role in South-East Europe Slovenia represents a gate to South-East Europe and is a herald and interpreter of the trans- Atlantic policy in the region. On the other hand, it is also a link between Italy and Hungary, both NATO members. The accession of Slovenia to NATO would significantly influence the security situation in the region. The invitation of Slovenia into NATO could serve as a proof to other countries in the region that the policy based on democracy, market economy, and peacefulness is appreciated and respected. As an aspirant for NATO membership and a member of the "Partnership for Peace", Slovenia is already making a constructive contribution to the stabilization of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo. Thus, it has been actively involved in NATO-led operations in KFOR, SFOR and UNMIK with over 100 persons and will by the end of the year increase its participation with a platoon within MSU (SFOR). "The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance" (ITF), founded by Slovenia's Government in 1998, is a concrete contribution to the stability South-East Europe. So far, 23 countries have contributed to the Fund, which has already expanded its activities, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Croatia, Albania and Kosovo and is now in the process of further expansion to Macedonia and Yugoslavia. Slovenia was the initiator of the trilateral regional cooperation with Italy and Hungary, the result of which was, inter alia, the "Multinational Land Force" or "Trilateral Brigade" respectively. Slovenia actively participates in the "Stability Pact for South-East Europe", in which it co- chairs the Working Table One (for democratization and human rights), is an important donor (for 2000 it pledged projects worth over 5 million USD), while Slovenian companies are among the largest investors in the region, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With its activities in NATO's "Partnership for Peace", Slovenia has secured itself the position of a country making a political and operative contribution to the enhancement of regional security and of a credible partner of the Alliance. In this respect. Slovenia has provided support to Croatia in its integration into the Partnership.

"The Vilnius Group" Slovenia was one of the initiators and - together with Lithuania - a co-organiser of the Conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of nine aspirant countries in Vilnius. The result of this Conference was the "Vilnius Declaration". The meeting in Vilnius was a message to the Alliance that the aspirant countries are not just passive candidates, but are able and willing to participate in NATO activities. Slovenia regards the activities of the "Vilnius Group" in its political dimension, as an expression of solidarity between the aspirants to conclude the democratic transformation of Europe and cooperate in the exchange of views and experiences gained in the implementation of individual "Membership Action Plans". Slovenia therefore believes that each aspirant has to satisfy the requirements and be considered for admission to membership on the basis of its own merits.

Slovenia and European Defence and Security Policy Slovenia's membership of the EU and NATO will further contribute to stability and security in Europe. In this respect, Slovenia is closely following the process of formation of European defence and security since it believes that they are indivisible and closely linked with the transatlantic dimension represented by NATO. Slovenia considers that this will contribute to a more efficient and prompt response by Europe to potential future challenges and threats.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 2001