Slovenia: membership application and partnership, 10 June 1996

PURPOSE : presentation of the second 'accession partnership' for Slovenia. CONTENT : Like its previous version, this partnership for the accession of Slovenia resembles a work programme proposing priorities and objectives to be attained by the country in the short and the medium-term in order to become a member of the Union. These objectives take into account the regular report on Slovenia (1999). The short-term priorities (end of 2000) concern economic criteria (restructuring of companies ; privatisation of banks and insurance companies, restructuring of the steel sector and public finances) ; the internal market (basically continuing the harmonisation process) ; agriculture, transport, environment, social affairs and employment, justice and home affairs (implementation of the Schengen agreement) and the strengthening of administrative and judiciary capacity (in particular the management and control of EU funds). In the medium term, the measures will concern further efforts to solve border problems with Croatia that are in suspense. In the area of the single market, the complete liberalisation of goods and capital, the strengthening of competition rules (agreements) and consumer protection. Further measures are envisaged in the area of agriculture, fisheries, energy (in particular, the nuclear sector), transport and the environment (waste management, air pollution and industrial pollution) and the improvement of the operation of the legal system. With regard to the programming of financial resources, the partnership confirms aid granted in line with AGENDA 2000 and the various instruments provided therein (Phare, SAPARD and ISPA) inaccordance with the rules already foreseen. It should be noted that assistance is only granted if the country respects the provisions of the EC-Slovenia Association Agreement, makes progress towards satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and assures in the year 2000 the achievement of the specific priorities of this accession partnership.�