In EU institutions representatives of member states draft and adopt numerous acts. As one of the members, Slovenia also participates in developing the acquis with its representatives, who work in institutions, organs and bodies of the EU. The coordination of EU affairs includes inter-governmental coordination and the drafting of positions for Slovenian representatives within the Council of the EU at the level of working groups, committees, ministerial meetings, and meetings of the European Council.
The role of individual state bodies in coordinating European issues and drafting the position of the Republic of Slovenia on EU policies:
- National Assembly
- Government Office for European Affairs (GOEA)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
- Working groups
Inter-departmental coordination and drafting the position of the Republic of Slovenia
In the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, European affairs are coordinated by the Government Office for European Affairs (GOEA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The relevant ministry or government office is responsible for preparing the position on individual draft acts or measures of the EU. GOEA coordinates European issues pertaining to the first and third pillar of the EU, while the MFA coordinates political issues from the second pillar, i.e. the common foreign and security policy. GOEA determines the competent ministry or government body, the participating ministries and the working group for drafting Slovenia's position in the adoption process of legal proposals and other EU acts.
The preparation and coordination of positions is carried out via the government information system and other harmonisation mechanisms, such as meetings of working groups, the working group for European affairs, or informal inter-departmental meetings.
If a position is such that it needs the consideration of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the Government forwards the government's proposed position to the National Assembly. The position is then discussed by the Committee on EU Affairs or the Committee for Foreign Policy. After receiving the position and the expiry of the deadline for a response from the National Assembly, the government's proposal becomes that of the Republic of Slovenia.
Slovenian representatives attending meetings of the Council of the EU are required to support the policy which has been officially approved as the position of the Republic of Slovenia.