Slovenia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004. Looking back on our membership so far, we can be proud and satisfied. Slovenia has proved to have become a dynamic and successful Member State. With its knowledge and experience it has already made an important contribution to the strengthening of the European Union and its position in the international arena. Slovenia, as the first among the new Member States, is holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2008, thus being at the forefront of the Union – a great honour and responsibility at the same time.

The European Union has proven to be a positive environment for Slovenian ambitions. As a member, Slovenia participates in decisions on the future of Europe and international relations in general. EU membership provides us with benefits and advantages. On one hand, it brings positive financial and economic effects. In the 2007–2013 financial perspective, Slovenia has been allocated a considerable amount of European funds. More than ever before, opportunities for important investments and rapid development are arising. On the other hand, the European Union is the most successful European peace and reconciliation project in history. It has brought together traditionally hostile countries. Cooperation among Austria, Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain and other countries also serves as a model for Slovenia. Under the EU umbrella, we remember and understand the turbulent European past, while at the same time we are able to comfortably decide on our future. EU membership has offered new opportunities to Slovenians living outside the Republic of Slovenia. We have achieved and largely surpassed the ideals of a United Slovenia. With Slovenia’s accession to the European Union, the Slovenian minorities in other EU Member States have been united with their parent nation. Slovenian is no longer a minority language, but an official language on a par with the other languages of the EU. This is a completely new status enjoyed by Slovenians neither in the Austro-Hungarian Empire nor in Yugoslavia. Individuals who once dedicated themselves to Slovenehood as a provincial, republican or minority destiny can now turn to other issues. The problem as they once knew it is gone.

The European Union has been listening to Slovenia’s positions on the stabilisation of the situation in Western Balkan countries and their development. In discussions with other EU Member States, the Republic of Slovenia has consistently argued that the stability and development of the Western Balkans are vital for Europe as a whole. Early integration of South Eastern European countries into EU structures is in our common interest. The success of such a positive approach is already evident, as Croatia’s accession negotiations are in full swing, Macedonia is a candidate country, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are on their way towards concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the SAA with Albania is in the process of ratification, and the SAA with Montenegro was signed on 15 October 2007. However, certain important issues in the region remain unresolved. Slovenia will continue to strive for a situation in which the countries of the Western Balkans accept European values and norms as soon as possible on the way to becoming credible and responsible EU Member States.

By joining the EU, Slovenia has extended the scope of influence of its foreign policy and is now an active participant in discussions and initiatives that concern other world regions. With its successful OSCE Chairmanship in 2005, Slovenia gained experience in cooperating with the European neighbourhood and will in the future endeavour to present proposals to enhance relations between the EU and these countries. The stability of its neighbours is in the EU’s strategic interest. In this context, the EU has also increased its activities for resolving the situation in the Middle East, where we will be confronted with extremely important and demanding tasks. The Middle East Peace Process, Iran and Iraq remain at the forefront of interest of EU foreign and security policy. According to its abilities, the Republic of Slovenia will continue to take an active part in EU endeavours to help the region on its path towards stability and development, along with our strategic partners.

As a Member State of the EU, Slovenia is especially active in deepening EU relations with strategic partners and international organisations. Together we strive to ensure effective multilateralism and strengthen dialogue between civilisations and cultures. Concerning the Millennium Development Goals, we will continue to advocate a strong transatlantic partnership and strategic dialogue with Russia, China, India, Japan and other key international players.

The Republic of Slovenia participates in EU military and civilian crisis management operations. This is one of the most important tools for ensuring peace and development in unstable and less developed regions. Slovenia takes an active part in EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in EU civil crisis management operations in Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in the training of Iraqi judicial and police officials. Recently, it has been decided to send our soldiers to the EU military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa is a continent in need of help, and the EU is aware of that. In this context, Slovenia is also aiming for enhanced development cooperation and greater coherence of the security and development elements of EU foreign policy.

We are all aware that the EU can strengthen its strategic role as a global player only if it has an effective, transparent and streamlined internal structure. The negative outcome of the two referenda in France and the Netherlands unexpectedly put the EU in a situation in which it must now carefully plan further steps and more thoroughly consult the citizens for whom the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was drafted.

During its EU presidency, Slovenia will closely monitor the ratification process of the Treaty of Lisbon. Special attention will be paid to issues concerning possible further enlargement of the EU and common energy policy, as well as dialogue between cultures and civilisations. The EU Council Presidency is one of Slovenia’s greatest projects since its independence. Similarly, this project requires the cooperation of all national institutions. The Presidency is an opportunity for a partnership of the Government, National Assembly, parties and civil society as a whole. We will all do our best to ensure that Slovenia’s Presidency is successful and that the country will continue to enjoy its solid reputation.