Slovenia - Economic reform

Short-term priorities:

• establishment of medium-term economic policy priorities and joint assessment within the framework of the Interim Cooperation Agreement;
• action on market-driven restructuring in the enterprise, finance and banking sectors;
• preparation of pension reform.

Assessment (October 1999)

These priorities have been achieved only in part.

With regard to the establishment of medium-term economic priorities, the Slovenian Government adopted the joint assessment on 1 October 1998 and implementation started in 1999. Some progress has been made in preparing for privatisation of the banking sector, but the actual process has not yet started. No progress has been made in consolidating and privatising the insurance sector. Supervisory capacity, notably with regard to insurance markets, still needs to be strengthened. The new Banking Law has been adopted, but legislation on pension reform is still awaited.

Assessment (November 2000)

There has been some progress in restructuring firms in a number of sectors. The government has drawn up a plan to promote foreign investment and a programme to reduce bureaucracy. Measures have also been taken to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The only progress as regards privatisation has been in the banking and insurance sector. The reform of the pensions system has started.

Assessment (November 2001)

Progress has been made in restructuring firms, in particular in the textile and footwear sector. A plan has been adopted for restructuring the steel sector. Some measures have been approved to stimulate foreign investment and promote small and medium-sized enterprises. A programme has been adopted to reduce bureaucracy. The process of privatisation and the restructuring of public finance have continued. Pensions reform has begun.

Assessment (October 2002)

The privatisation of the large public banks has continued. Foreign investment has increased, but further efforts are required to increase investment by improving the business environment.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities

• complete restructuring, commercialisation and liberalisation of State-owned companies;
• continued capital market reform;
• establishment of a fiscal surveillance procedure.

Assessment (November 2000)

Despite the progress made in the restructuring and commercialisation of companies, the process has still to be completed. Progress has been made with the liberalisation of capital flows in the field of portfolio investment. Measures have been introduced to improve the fiscal surveillance procedure. The Court of Audit operates independently of the government, but further improvements remain to be made as regards its findings and recommendations.

Assessment (November 2001)

The restructuring and commercialisation of public services has made good progress. However, the reform of the financial markets still has to be completed. Some measures have been adopted to improve budgetary surveillance.

Assessment (October 2002)

The accession partnership priorities concerning the economic criteria have been respected in part. The restructuring, commercialisation and liberalisation of the public services has progressed, particularly in the textile and steel sectors. Slovenia has continued to abolish the remaining restrictions in order to complete liberalisation of capital flows.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

REFERENCES

Council Decision 98/268/EC of 30.03.1998Official Journal L 121 of 23.04.1998

Council Decision 1999/859/EC of 06.12.1999Official Journal L 335 of 28.12.1999

Commission Opinion COM(97)2010 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98)709 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999)512 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000)712 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2001) 700 final - SEC(2001) 1755Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1411Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1208Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

Last updated: 19.11.2004