Slovenia’s EU Presidency: Dual Ties

by alicia gough, march 2008

Slovenia’s aim to resolve the Kosovo issue during its EU presidency has sparked much speculation over whether its dual ties with Central Europe and the Balkans will prove a blessing or a curse.

When Slovenia took over the EU reins on January 1, 2008, it prompted many in the West to ask: "Where is this tiny country of just two million people?" After locating Slovenia on the map, the next question was inevitably: "Is it part of the Balkans or Central Europe?"

Slovenia actually shares historical, political and cultural connections with both regions. During the latter half of the 19^th century, Slovenia was swallowed up by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as was much of Central Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. Then after World War II it became one of the communist states of Yugoslavia, like its Balkan neighbours – Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia.

As a small country, Slovenia faces numerous challenges and complexities with regard to taking the EU reins. A country of just two million taking on the EU presidency of nearly 500 million people may appear slightly ambitious to some. Slovenia admits it lacks the experience and personnel of the larger EU countries, and has been receiving advice and diplomatic support from others – France in particular – the next in line for the presidency. This has led to accusations that France will dominate Europe’s agenda for a whole year.

Others believe the main challenge to Slovenia’s presidency lies in the fact that it’s the biggest EU countries that have the biggest say. By joining the EU, some see Slovenia, once the dominant north of the Balkans, as now just another, minor country in the south of Europe. Whether or not Slovenia will achieve as much as other EU presidencies is yet to be seen. In December 2007, Reuters reported: “Most analysts believe Slovenia, one of the smallest EU members with little political clout, will settle for "a good technical performance" during the presidency, without pushing too many of its own initiatives.”

Slovenia’s main aim in its EU presidency is to resolve the Kosovo issue. This has led to some political analysts fearing Slovenia has bitten off more than it can chew, being that it is one of the youngest EU members with such a small administration. This is compounded by the recent declaration of independence by the Serbian province of Kosovo. Slovenia’s aim is to protect Kosovo’s independence while preventing Serbia’s retreat into isolation. The Slovenian Foreign Minister, Dimitrij Rupel, remains hopeful that the only solution to the crisis is EU enlargement.

Slovenia’s historic ties to the turbulent Balkans will either help or hinder its presidency. The country’s geographical position could be seen as providing a natural buffer between the Balkans and the West. Slovenia also knows and understands the complexities of the southeast corner of Europe better than most. Slovenian Prime Minster, Janez Jansa, told Reuters: “We know the situation very well, also the details which are not easily understandable for countries which are far away.”

Slovenia is often hailed as a Balkan success story. Emerging relatively unscathed from the Balkan Wars of the 1990s, it quickly gained independence, prospered then joined the EU and NATO by 2004. Slovenia now enjoys widespread economic and political stability. But perhaps Slovenia has been quick to gain recognition from the West because it had more in common with Central Europe to begin with. The fact that Slovenia was the most prosperous region of former Yugoslavia with a low proportion of other ethnic groups is often cited as reasons for its rapid integration.

As soon as Slovenia declared independence, it immediately turned to the West, some say shutting the door to the South. If this is true, then perhaps Slovenia is out of touch with more recent developments in the Balkans, and doesn’t “know the situation” as well as it thinks.

Slovenia being such a young country – only ruling itself for the last 17 years – has also prompted some to ask whether it should really be running the EU at all. For centuries the country was run by Vienna or Belgrade – under Austro-Hungarian rule and then the Republic of Yugoslavia. Having only gained independence in 1991, the EU presidency is Slovenia’s biggest challenge since.

But its relatively recent independence does not necessarily mean Slovenia is out of its depth. On the contrary, the fact that it is a young country may bring new energy and initiative to the table. Dimitrij Rupel said: “This is a historic project for us … it’s not normal for us to be asked to lead such a presidency and so we want to make an extra effort.”

Slovenia has shown great initiative in the past; throughout the 80s it fought for greater political freedom in the federation and was the most liberal republic of Yugoslavia. Moreover the country handled the numerous challenges of becoming an independent nation exceptionally well.

Since its independence Slovenia has much to be proud of. In 2001, the country hosted the Bush-Putin summit, which reaffirmed US support for Slovenia’s integration with Europe. Just three years later, Slovenia scored the highest referendum result in favour of EU accession, and promptly became a member in 2004. On January 1, 2007, Slovenia was the first former communist bloc county to join the Euro, and its smooth adoption is evidence that it takes obligations seriously.

In November of the same year, Slovenia elected President, Danilo Turk, a very capable and experienced diplomat, with 68 per cent of the vote. Turk was Slovenia’s ambassador to the UN from 1992, when the country gained international recognition, then became assistant to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. The role of president carries weight in defence and foreign affairs and Turk’s expertise in this field will prove integral to the EU presidency.

Whether Slovenia’s dual ties with the Balkans and Central Europe will prove to be a blessing or curse, with regards to the Kosovo issue, is yet to be seen. But its EU presidency should not be seen a test. Slovenia has already proved itself to be a very capable nation – gaining recognition as an independent nation, handling the transition from a socialist to capitalist economy, joining the EU and NATO, and now being appointed with the EU presidency – and all within just 17 years. This is a lot to accomplish for such a young country.

Slovenia’s aim to resolve the Kosovo situation during its EU presidency shows commitment to Europe as a whole. In December 2007, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said: “Slovenia may not be the largest country in geographical size but it is big in terms of European commitment.”

The EU has proclaimed 2008 "The Year of Intercultural Dialogue". The official launch took place in Ljubljana on January 8, proceeded by a multitude of events across Europe. "The Year of Intercultural Dialogue" is particularly fitting as Slovenia – the first former Yugoslav country to hold the EU reins – takes on a crucial intercultural dialogue role between Brussels and the Balkans.

As a growing number of eastern European countries join the EU and NATO, their presence on the international stage isn’t going unnoticed. During a press conference in 2003, Donald Rumsfeld said: “You’re thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don’t. I think that’s old Europe. If you look at the entire NATO Europe today, the center of gravity is shifting to the east.” If this is truly the case, then Slovenia’s geographic location along Europe’s virtual centerline separating east and west makes it strategically well positioned indeed.