EC/Slovenia Europe agreement

PURPOSE: conclusion of an Association Agreement between the Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and Slovenia, on the other. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council and Commission Decision 1999/144/EC, ECSC, EURATOM on the conclusion of the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, acting within the framework of the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part. CONTENT : The Europe Agreement between the EC, ECSC, EURATOM and their Member States and Slovenia is a preferential agreement covering sectors of Community and national competence. This agreement replaces the 1993 co-operation agreement concluded between the Communities and Slovenia. It seeks to establish close and lasting relations based on respect for democratic principles and human rights, as well as the principles of market economy. It provides a framework for Slovenia's gradual integration into the European Union. As far as trade and accompanying measures are concerned, it provides for: - the establishment of a free-trade area following a transitional period of 6 years divided into 2 successive stages (the first of 4 years and the second of 2 years); - measures regarding: right of establishment, supply of services, capital movements, economic co-operation, cultural co-operation, financial co-operation, co-operation for the prevention of illegal activities (drugs, money laundering, etc.); - specific measures with respect to transport maintaining the existing agreement between the EC and this country with respect to land transport. For other modes of transport, there are provisions relating to co-operation on road transport, combined rail-road transport, railway management, etc. The introduction of a political dialogue between the Union and Slovenia is of specific importance given that it falls within the multilateral framework set in place with the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and within the Association Council. Lastly, the agreement contains specific provisions for the free movement of workers (joint declaration) and a new title concerning the Osimo Agreements and economic co-operation between Italy and Slovenia. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 01.02.1999.�