Prednostne Naloge Republike Slovenije

Pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 2, second sentence of the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs (Uradni list RS [Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia], Nos. 34/04, 43/10 and 107/10) and Article 110 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure (Uradni list RS, Nos. 92/07 – official consolidated text and 105/10), the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia at its …. session held on …………. adopted the following

DECLARATION ON ACTIVITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE PERIOD JANUARY 2013– JUNE 2014

BEARING IN MIND the mission of the European Union, its fundamental objectives and the role of Slovenia as a full EU member,

REAFFIRMING our commitment to the European values and objectives as set out in the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

ASPIRING FOR clear objectives of Slovenia within the EU institutions, in particular within the Council of the European Union,

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the 18-month programme of the Council (1 January 2013–30 June 2014) and the Commission Work Programme 2013, and

HAVING REGARD to the priorities that Slovenia has set itself for this period,

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

hereby adopts the fundamental political orientations on the strategic issues facing Slovenia when taking decisions for the adoption of legislative and non-legislative EU acts in the period January 2013–June 2014 and commits itself, within its responsibilities, to joint efforts to implement this declaration.

Slovenia should view the efforts to overcome the current crisis as an opportunity for renewed and deepened sustainable development within the European Union.

The next year and a half will bring great challenges for Slovenia in its role as a Member State of the European Union. In these times of crisis, the fundamental European and Slovenian economic

1 environment has changed, the repayment rate on Slovenia’s loans has increased, steady economic growth is becoming a daunting task, and the financial markets increasingly differentiate among the EU Member States. Natural resources are becoming limited and ever more expensive and, due to human pressure, our environment is going through drastic change, which severely affects the economy, agriculture, and the general well-being and health of citizens. Faced with new trials, the European Union is in need of overhauling its functioning and structure.

In this dire situation, we may draw on the fact that times of crisis also bring about challenges to development paradigms, including macroeconomic development paradigms, which Slovenia can take on as an active and equal member of the EU. For this purpose, the country will make use of all the leverage provided by the European Union, particularly its legal and institutional framework, sources of financing, and role as a global player.

Slovenia aims to actively contribute to the debate on the reform of the European Union and its institutions, since their efficient functioning underpins the progress of the Member States.

The financial and economic crisis and the shifting geopolitical balance have called for a reflection on the future of the European Union and proposals for a revised institutional structure. Slovenia sees the concept of “more Europe” as a deeper integration – in economic, monetary, budgetary and political terms – and, accordingly, a more efficient, competitive and democratic EU.

The discussion on the EU’s future institutional order should be conducted as a general debate in all Member States, with active involvement of citizens as the building blocks of this supranational community. Only then will the restructuring gain the necessary democratic legitimacy. Regardless of the format of the future Union agreed upon in the coming years, we must not renounce any of the fundamental values stemming from Europe’s history, which have become one of the most distinctive elements of its identity.

Answers to the dilemmas of the EU’s future development must be sought through an open public debate, involving civil society and the expert and general publics. Public participation in these deliberations is the more important in 2013, the European Year of Citizens. Only a wide debate including all the relevant stakeholders of Slovenian society will result in a broadly-accepted view of Slovenia’s role within the European Union and its future. In this regard, Slovenia will continue to strive for more transparent functioning of the EU, especially since access to documents of the institutions is now a fundamental civic right.

Efficient institutions with a balanced representation of all Member States and acting in line with the competencies set forth in the primary legislation are an important aspect of the EU’s good governance. Slovenia expects that 2014, with scheduled elections to the European Parliament, will offer another opportunity for an in-depth debate, in which European political parties will have to play a role in raising European political awareness.

2 Slovenia remains an advocate of further deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union by setting clear operative rules, which will contribute to financial stability and the strengthening of the economy.

A vision of the future EU is already taking shape with the realisation of a fully-fledged Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). From the outset of the financial and sovereign debt crisis, the European Union has taken great strides towards guaranteeing the financial stability of the Eurozone and the entire EU. However, the measures taken so far have been insufficient to restore the confidence of financial markets. The financial crisis brought to light certain shortcomings in the structure of the single currency area, which lacks a uniform level of integration in the economic, fiscal and banking fields. Slovenia is therefore in favour of deepening and enhancing the EMU, with a view to securing more stable and sustainable economic growth, job creation and social cohesion. In order to preserve the single market, the process of consolidating the EMU must also be open and transparent for those Member States which are not part of the Eurozone, while the Eurozone members must be willing to take on the responsibility for further deepening the integration, even if they fail to reach consensus on all the details.

An integrated framework is needed for the establishment of a banking union. Slovenia advocates a rapid adoption of the legislative framework for a single supervisory mechanism and its implementation. These measures should be supplemented by the remaining elements of the banking union, which will enable its full functioning.

The strengthening of the budgetary and economic pillars of the EMU will be among Slovenia’s priorities in the forthcoming period. We champion the development of mechanisms of fiscal solidarity in the Eurozone within a limited scope, intended primarily for mitigating the consequences of reforms.

Economic growth and new jobs, an efficient and operative infrastructure, and a functioning single market are the prevailing conditions for progress and development of Slovenia and the European Union.

Economic growth and the creation of new jobs must remain Europe’s and Slovenia’s priority. The Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework must clearly contribute to this end, by more firmly supporting the delivery of the Europe 2020 Strategy objectives, i.e. boosting competitiveness, sustainable growth and creating jobs. In this regard, Slovenia is in favour of a prompt agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and of continued strong and development-oriented cohesion and rural development policies as important sources of financing of environmentally friendly investments in development. It is thus striving for immediate adoption of all the legal bases necessary for the successful launch of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework and for targeted and efficient spending. For this reason, Slovenia upheld the Compact for Growth and Jobs endorsed by the heads of state and government in June 2012. The further strengthening of the single market, which represents great potential for the growth of both the Slovenian and European economies, is key to achieving the goals of the Compact. Slovenia supports the rapid enactment of the current and further legislative proposals in this area, particularly as regards public procurement, intellectual property, services and the movement of labour. Both Slovenia and Europe as a whole 3 cannot achieve growth and quality jobs, or seize the entire potential of development possibilities of individual regions, without a successful, efficient and appropriately outlined cohesion policy, for which we have been striving. Moreover, Slovenia underscores the necessity of a timely conclusion of negotiations on the relevant legislative package in 2013; only thus will it be possible to draft the necessary documents for unhindered cohesion policy implementation in the forthcoming programming period.

The single market should also be strengthened in the area of building new and modernising the existing infrastructure – especially the transport, energy and telecommunications links. Another important factor for boosting competitiveness is the creation of a single digital market, which should become fully operational by 2015. Slovenia will also strive for a fully-fledged single market in the field of energy, which should take shape by 2014. To ensure its effective operation, we should address the construction of energy infrastructure, define the priority corridors and set the criteria for projects of common interest.

The development and construction of a future single European transport network is one of the key priorities for Slovenia. New medium- and long-term goals of the financing and construction policy have been established by the upcoming revision of trans-European networks, which is considered vital for Slovenia as a country at the crossroads of important connections between different parts of Europe.

We are well aware that investment in research and innovation is instrumental in bolstering sustainable growth, the well-being of citizens and the creation of new jobs with high added value. Slovenia thus advocates full implementation of joint programmes in research and innovation and enhanced free movement of knowledge.

In the scope of measures for opening up new opportunities for growth in the single market, we should further strive for improved mobility of workers. Slovenia is in favour of all further endeavours for the adoption of legislation on professional qualification and the secondment of workers.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the driving force behind economic development in both Slovenia and the EU as a whole. In view of the present situation, a stable and effective support environment for enterprises must be created, which will facilitate their growth and development, offering easier access to financial resources under favourable conditions and reducing administrative burdens.

Slovenia’s future lies in guaranteeing efficient use of resources and quality of living, preserving a healthy living environment and biological diversity, and the production of safe and high-quality food.

Economic development must go hand in hand with resolving the dilemmas in our attitude towards environmental protection and the production of safe and high-quality food. When drafting policies in these areas, Slovenia will champion solutions which prove sustainable in the long run. It is ever more obvious that the development of the European economy and the planning of the necessary infrastructure must adapt to the effects of climate change; they must consider the use of, access to and availability of natural resources, as well as the provision of safe and high-quality food and a 4 healthy living environment. Only such an attitude will preserve the high standards of living enjoyed in Europe.

Environmental policy must further guarantee the protection of people and the environment, while at the same time contributing to the competitiveness of Member States, taking into account the global and the specific economic and financial situations of individual countries. In this context Slovenia will advocate solutions that offer development opportunities while protecting the environment. We will thus strive for the continued incorporation of environmental goals in sector-specific policies and their improvement in line with the most advanced scientific findings on human health and the environment. We will further promote more efficient implementation of the existing legislation rather than drafting new legislative proposals, unless this is considered inevitable.

In the fields of agriculture and fisheries, Slovenia will strive for continued promotion of competitiveness and for high-quality products, while respecting sustainability, the efficient use of resources, consumer requests, and human, animal and plant health. It will continue to uphold the principles of short supply chains, local supply of food and increased self-sufficiency (also due to the uncertain global food supply), along with more stable agricultural income. Also in this regard, it will continue to pursue the balanced development of rural areas and the preservation of rural jobs, with rural development policy being sufficiently backed by EU financing. With a view to preserving its fisheries and maritime identity, it will support EU decisions enabling economic viability of fishermen and the sustainable development of European fisheries and aquaculture. In particular, it will insist on due consideration to the specific needs of small fisheries in maritime regions, such as the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.

Slovenia remains part of the area of justice, freedom and security.

Apart from the efforts to revitalise the Slovenian economy, through reforms and balanced and sustainable development, the notion of Slovenia as a social state governed by the rule of law remains paramount. Within the EU’s endeavours to guarantee an area of justice, freedom and security, Slovenia will continue to pay attention to judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, as these instruments are essential for the smooth functioning of the internal market.

Slovenia will endeavour for a high level of security of Slovenian and other EU citizens by monitoring the external Schengen border. With further enlargement, the EU’s external borders are about to change, but the Schengen control on Slovenia’s border will remain. With a view to enabling the continued free and rapid movement of people, Slovenia will endeavour to ensure that the use of the EU’s envisaged new technological systems in the area of internal security will not limit the achieved permeability of borders. Although Slovenia is more of a transit country than a destination for different forms of cross-border organised crime, including the crossing of illegal immigrants, it will continue to devote full attention to this topic.

As regards legal migration, correct and accurate implementation of legislation at the national level will be necessary after its adoption. The same applies for legislation establishing a common European asylum system. Regardless of considerable progress made this year in the adoption of amendments to legislative acts in this area, Slovenia is not entirely satisfied with the result of negotiations within

5 the Council. For this reason, it will strive for a firm approach in the negotiations with the European Parliament also with regard to the remaining outstanding issues.

Slovenia will endeavour to ensure respect for human rights and freedoms, including the rights of members of autochthonous national, ethnic and linguistic minorities.

For Slovenia, continued regional integration and the support for the EU’s enlargement process are key for the pursuit of its interests in the region.

Slovenia is closely linked with its wider geographical environment and, consequently, also with the Western Balkans. It is therefore interested in the stabilisation of this region, both in terms of security policy and from the economic aspect. In this regard, a credible enlargement policy of the European Union is the most important leverage to boost reforms in countries drawing closer to it. Slovenia will therefore remain a staunch supporter of the EU enlargement process. A functioning state governed by the rule of law, respect for international commitments, enhanced cooperation and harmonisation in the field of economic policies, and good neighbourly relations, regional cooperation and conciliation are key elements for successful approximation of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. In this regard, Slovenia will continue to assist these countries in their EU integration process by transferring its experience and knowledge. It will also continue to affirm that the primary condition for successful conciliation, good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation is the respect and implementation of international agreements.

When supporting and assisting Western Balkan countries in their integration and negotiation process, Slovenia will closely follow their progress in all fields, including the implementation of treaties such as the Agreement on Succession Issues, which is one of the pillars for lasting stable relations among the countries concerned.

Slovenia will also continue its security endeavours for a permanent stabilisation of the region. In this context it is important to retain the current level of our active participation in the operations and activities of the EU, NATO and the OSCE, and within bilateral programmes for the reform of the security sector.

The Western Balkans remains a priority area of Slovenia’s development cooperation. Slovenia will also strive for closer links with the Western Balkan countries and their accelerated progress on the way to the EU with concrete projects and other EU-financed activities through the IPA instrument.

To be able to successfully advance its interests, it will remain active in regional structures. Participation in regional initiatives supported and directed by the EU is indeed an important dimension for securing Slovenia’s presence in the region.