The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008 recognizes that Europe's
great cultural diversity represents a unique advantage.
On 30 June 2008 Slovenia concluded its Presidency of the EU Council, which it
assumed on 1 January 2008 as the first of the new EU Member States.
On 1 May 2004 Slovenia became a member of the European Union. A year earlier (on 23 March 2003, to be precise) a referendum was held, and 89.64% voted in favour of EU membership. Before this historic event an agreement on the conditions of accession had to be reached through many years of negotiations, Slovenian legislation had to be harmonised with the acquis, thus eliminating differences which would block or hinder attaining EU goals or the functioning of the internal market.
Today, Slovenia belongs to a family of 27 member states deeply
connected at the economic, social and political level. It is
represented in all EU institutions and contributes to all decisions
made by them. The country has a commissioner in the European
Commission, seven MEPs and a voice equal to all other members in
decisions taken by the Council of the EU.
The acquis communautaire was transferred to Slovenian legislation, particularly in areas within EU jurisdiction. Slovenia transferred a part of its sovereign right to the EU in areas solely within the EU's competence. As extremely significant decisions influencing the lives of Slovenian citizens are taken at the supranational level, well-coordinated work and the views on "European" issues of all Slovenian representatives at the EU level are imperative.
Today Slovenia is participating in various EU programmes aimed at increasing social and economic progress and integration. Since joining the EU Slovenia has contributed a share of its GDP to the Community budget, while receiving financial support for different areas, including the development of agriculture and the countryside, sustainable growth and a more harmonious development of regions within the framework of the EU structural policy.
Besides the financial and developmental advantages of EU membership, Slovenian citizens are gradually getting the opportunity to work in other member states, and it has become very easy to travel within the EU. It will be even more simple when Slovenia joins the Schengen Area, which is expected to take place in 2007.
On 1 January 2007 Slovenia strengthened its bond with other EU states, as it became the 13th member to adopt the common European currency - the euro.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for the young Slovenian state is the presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2008.
