Slovenia in the European Union
After declaring its independence in 1991, Slovenia began to express its willingness and goal to become a full member of the EU in strategic development documents and at the highest political level. Just a year later, in 1992, Slovenia applied to become a signatory to a European Union Association Agreement and for support in restructuring and rebuilding its economy.
Since 1 May 2004, Slovenia has been a full member of the EU. In addition to the financial and development advantages of EU membership, Slovenian citizens could now work in other Member States, and travelling within the EU after Slovenia's entry into the Schengen area was greatly simplified. On 1 January 2007, Slovenia deepened its ties with other EU Member States when it became the thirteenth Member State to adopt the single European currency (the euro), which significantly simplified the operation of enterprises and payments made by citizens.
Vision of the EU
Slovenia’s vision for the EU is focused not only on competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development, but also on improving its citizens’ quality of life in the wider European community. The values promoted by the EU – human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, including the rights of minorities, the preservation of cultural diversity and language equality – are shared by all its Member States and citizens. By strengthening the cooperation in the EU, Slovenia endeavours to the best of its ability to help shape the Union’s present and future.
Adopting positions in EU policy-making
Since joining the EU, Slovenia has cooperated jointly and on an equal footing with other Member States in the formulation of EU policies and the acquis. The positions Slovenia advocates in the process of adopting EU law are previously coordinated among competent state authorities and with interested stakeholders. Harmonised positions are prepared within the framework of the European affairs coordination system. The system includes the work of competent bodies, the central coordination unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, working groups for the preparation of positions in the process of adopting legislative proposals and other EU acts, the Working Group for European Affairs, the Group for European Affairs, the Slovenian Government, and the National Assembly. The drawing up and confirmation of positions takes place in a special government information system, the EU portal. The priorities in this process are contained in the Declaration on the activities of the Republic of Slovenia in the institutions of the European Union, which is the fundamental document in EU matters and the basis for the representation of Slovenia’s interests in each current period.
Support for EU enlargement
Slovenia supports the enlargement of the EU as its strongest geopolitical instrument and one of its most effective levers for promoting political and economic stability and security. Slovenia provides strong and continuous support to the Western Balkan countries in their EU approximation process, both within the Council of the EU and in bilateral relations with other EU Member States. An important factor in this process is participation in regional initiatives such as the Brdo–Brijuni process.