Slovenia's success in the first period of EU membership will be measured by several criteria. But its weight as a member state, as well as its capability to find compromise and partners in pursuing the set objectives, will definitely transpire in the outcome of the negotiations on the EU's next budget period, according to Marcel Koprol, the head of the Government Office for European Affairs (SVEZ).
Speaking for STA, Koprol stressed that remaining a net recipient of EU budget funds in the 2007-2013 period remains Slovenia's chief objective. "The country cannot allow itself not to enjoy these benefits until it catches up with the most developed member states," he stressed.
So far, according to him, Slovenia has been doing well in negotiations: it has pursued a proactive approach and sticks with the principle that one has to make efforts to the very last. "The essential thing is to know what you want, instead of just waiting in a corner and nod approvingly when something comes your way".
One part of this approach is activities in the non-formal group of 17 member states (the ten EU newcomers and Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Finland and Ireland). They are pursuing the same goals: the end of budget negotiations until June 2005, less restrictive budget spending and a strong budget for cohesion.
The timing is crucial for Slovenia, Koprol reiterated. If negotiations are delayed into 2006, it might achieve a statistical level of development that places it among more developed countries and thereby in a less favourable budget position. This does not mean we would become net contributors, yet the amount of money received would be smaller, he explained.
Whereas the outcome of the budget talks will be "the first big thing", Koprol highlighted some other criteria for measuring success, for example how successful Slovenians are in vying for official posts in EU institutions. According to him, Slovenian candidates are "extremely successful" in running for senior posts, and have a 30% success rate for lower positions, which puts the country on par with the leaders, the Czech Republic and Malta.
Asked about Slovenia's success rate in asserting its positions, Koprol said "we are successful, for we take positions regarding issues on the agenda on time". He is considering introducing a statistical indicator for measuring this type of success, which he feels would give a clearer picture in terms of both quantity and quality.
An even bigger test, perhaps, will be Slovenia's EU presidency in the first half of 2008. Preparations are underway and a broader working group headed by Koprol has shifted into higher gear to work on logistics, content, promotion, staff and operational preparations. According to Koprol, the entire time frame for the presidency will be completed this year.
Koprol is pleased with the results of EU membership so far. "I believe Slovenia is very successful," he said as it has proved in less than a year that it "knows European topics well, that it is correctly organised for work in the EU, that it can seek out countries with kin interests on individual issues and form coalitions, in short that it knows how to network, which is the essence of working in the Union," he said.
Although overall pleased, Koprol nevertheless stressed that certain changes are needed to improve coordination at home. He says he has tried to strengthen the role of SVEZ as coordinator since he was appointed three months ago: SVEZ has left it up to individual ministries and departments to deal with their topics, while it focuses on coordinating positions that the departments must align.
The Centre for Assistance in EU Accession is one of the projects that SVEZ has transferred to another department. The centre, which is to offer help to aspiring EU members, has been shifted over to the Foreign Ministry.
Koprol has also announced that SVEZ would improve coordination at the level of state secretaries through the government's working group on European affairs. In the previous government, this group dealt with strategic objectives and handled coordination of budget negotiations; now it will also become a forum for top-level coordination.
Responding to criticism that SVEZ has been weakened because it is now headed by a state secretary at the PM's cabinet rather than a minister without portfolio as before, Koprol said that "the title is not important, will and knowledge are".
In addition, SVEZ is directly accountable to the prime minister, he noted, which gives it "a greater influence on inter-ministerial cooperation, even at the ministerial level".
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