BILATERAL RELATIONS USA -  SLOVENIA

REASONS FOR JOINING NATO

The Republic of Slovenia belongs to the smaller-sized countries. Therefore, its defence potential is limited; Slovenia, however, wishes to ensure a safe framework for uninterrupted progress of political democracy and market economy. According to the belief of the great majority of Slovenian political parties and to public opinion, the Atlantic Alliance is the most adequate institution for ensuring security, since it consists of states whose systems are based on the same values as that of Slovenia: political democracy, market economy, democratic control over armed forces, and firm protection of human rights.

Slovenia is aware that a stable and secure international environment represents the basic condition for the establishment of economic, cultural, political and friendly ties between nations. Therefore, it desires to contribute its share to creating conditions which will enable the safe and stable progress of all countries whose wish this is. However, Slovenia can optimally use its potential as a security producer only through its integration into NATO, which offers the adequate organisational accessories.

FULFILLING THE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL NATO CRITERIA

Slovenia has established a stable system of political democracy, successfully brought into effect the principles of a market economy, and provided a high level of protection of human rights and national minorities; it has established effective democratic control over the armed forces and has good neighbourly relations.

• Slovenia has a stable system of political democracy, based on the free, secret, general and direct election of political representatives of the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia.
• Slovenia has put into effect the basic principles of market economy. It has liberalised its foreign trade (CEFTA; Association Agreement with the EU), and the process of privatisation will soon be concluded.
• There is a high level of protection of human rights in Slovenia, which is also confirmed by regular monitoring of the situation in Slovenia by various non-governmental organisations (Amnesty International) and states (annual report of the US State Department on the situation of human rights in the world). In addition, Slovenia has been exemplary in regulating protection of the Italian and Hungarian minority, which have two seats guaranteed in the Slovenian Parliament.
• The defence structures in Slovenia are under democratic control. The Minister of Defence is a civil person, and the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence is always a member of the opposition.
• In the area of defence, Slovenia has no problems with its neighbours, and it settles all outstanding issues by means of dialogue and negotiation.

SLOVENIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO NATO

Slovenia as a Central European country is determined to become part of the Euro-Atlantic structures and to contribute its share to security, stability and prosperity in Europe.

Slovenia's economic prosperity ensures that it is a fully capable of covering the costs of its integration into NATO and that it will not be a financial burden to the Alliance.

In 1998, Slovenia enjoyed a strong rate of growth (4.1%) and a relatively high GDP per capita (US$ 9,899), with an average annual inflation rate of 7.9% and unemployment of 7.5%. Our defence spending will increase from the present 1.85% of GDP (US$ 365 million) to a level of 2.3% of GDP by the year 2003. All of this adds up to a healthy economic outlook that will ensure that Slovenia will not be a financial burden for the Alliance, but on the contrary, will be a net contributor, if and when it is invited to accede.

Slovenia's strategic position in the NATO's Southern Theatre would enable a land link between two Allies old and new - Italy and Hungary thus also enhancing NATO's operational capability.

Slovenia's small but highly sophisticated Armed Forces are the forerunners of regional co-operation and are actively involved in NATO operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo.

With Slovenia's entry, NATO would acquire another reliable Ally, and Slovenia would become a firm part of the Alliance and its structure.

The accession of Slovenia to NATO would furthermore significantly influence the security situation in the region. The integration of Slovenia into the structures of the Atlantic Alliance would result in security disburdening towards the restless European Southeast. The invitation of Slovenia to 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.

Slovenian integration into NATO will also be a proof that NATO enlargement is not a process directed against Russia; Slovenia was never a constituent part of the Warsaw Pact, and is the candidate which is most remote from the Russian frontiers.

SECURITY WHITIN AND OUTSIDE

Slovenia's membership in the Alliance would contribute to the security of NATO member countries, of its neighbouring region and of Europe overall. Slovenia has demonstrated that it is a stable parliamentary democracy with the highest level of economic development among the candidate countries. It does not have disputes with its neighbours, which could detrimental affect NATO, and it has at the same time clearly demonstrated that it has the will and ability to perform a constructive role in the region.

One of the ways in which Slovenia has demonstrated its readiness for NATO membership is through its active participation in both Partnership for Peace (PfP) and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC).

Joining PfP in March 1994 demonstrated that Slovenia was headed in the right direction, after only three years of independence. Through the participation in PfP, Slovenia committed itself to achieving transparency in defence planning and budgeting and to ensuring democratic control of the armed forces. Slovenia also declared her readiness to contribute to international peace support operations, to develop cooperative military relations with NATO, and to work towards achieving interoperability with NATO forces.

In this context, Slovenia has undertaken a number of cooperative agreements with NATO allies and other PfP partners, designed to improve the interoperability of our armed forces. Slovenia's Alpine Training Centre in Bohinjska Bela was made available for NATO and PfP training exercises, and allied vessels make regular port calls to the Slovenian port of Koper. Slovenia is also developing a battalion-size specialised unit for participation in PfP training exercises and international peace support operations within the framework of NATO, the UN, WEU and the European Union.

As an energetic participant in the European security architecture, Slovenia has demonstrated that it is a dependable partner and a force for stability in the region south-east of our borders. Among other activities, Slovenia is contributing forces to the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a military police platoon as part of the new Multinational Specialised Unit (MSU). Slovenia is contributing to the WEU-led Multinational Advisory Police Element in Albania, after having taken part in the Italian-led Alba operation to restore order there last year.

In addition, Slovenia is supportive of NATO's role in resolving the crisis in Kosovo and has offered to contribute to the Kosovo Verification Mission.

Observers to help monitor elections in Albania, in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been provided. In addition, an international trust fund has been established in Slovenia for de-mining and mine victim assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the broader regional context, Slovenia participates in the Italian-Hungarian-Slovenian multinational light land force, in the Central European Nations Co-operation in Peace Support (CENCOOP) initiative and in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Slovenia is also active in such regional initiatives as the South-East European Co-operation Initiative (SECI), the EU's Royaumont process and the Central European Initiative.

More information: http://nato.gov.si/eng/