The government has confirmed the bill on the ratification of the EU constitution and sent it for approval to parliament. According to FM Dimitrij Rupel, the government expects the National Assembly to give it its stamp of approval by the end of January.
Rupel does not expect any problems with the ratification. If nothing unexpected happens, the ratification process "could be wrapped up by the end of January", he said. Slovenia would thereby become one of the first EU members to ratify the landmark treaty.
"The European constitution is not 100-percent perfect. It was not created based on Slovenian proposals, but it will enable the EU to function more efficiently in the international environment, which Slovenia can look forward to," the minister added.
Slovenia is generally pleased with the solutions, although Rupel labelled as "dangerous" the agreement that each member state will have European commissioner only until 2014.
According to the Slovenian Constitution, the parliament must ratify the treaty by a two-thirds majority. All major parties are vocal advocates of the EU, so the ratification should go smoothly.
The document was signed by EU leaders on 29 October 2004 after long and at times heated negotiations. Before it enters into force, it must be ratified by all 25 member states.
Most governments decided that the constitution would be ratified in parliament, but ten (mostly old members) will stage referendums.
The constitution has so far been ratified by Lithuania and Hungary.
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