Slovenia

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Highlights

Slovenia is one of the many non-member economies with which the OECD has working relationships in addition to its 30 member countries. In March 1996, Slovenia applied for OECD membership. The OECD Council at Ministerial level adopted a resolution on 16 May 2007 to open discussions with Slovenia for its membership of the Organisation. On 30 November 2007, the OECD Council approved the 'roadmap to accession' for Slovenia, as well as four other prospective new members.

Mutual benefit

As one of the most successful reformers among the new EU members, Slovenia not only learned from OECD members’ expertise, but also had important reform experience to share with OECD members and others, e.g. in the field of regulatory management. Until end-2006, Slovenia also participated in SIGMA, in a programme assisting the new EU members’ decision makers and administrations in meeting the conditions for EU Membership.

How is the co-operation co-ordinated?

The OECD’s co-operation with Slovenia now takes place primarily in the context of the country’s accession to OECD membership. Slovenia’s government has appointed a representative to co-ordinate the accession process on its side; on the OECD side, the process is co-ordinated by Deputy Secretary-General Ms Thelma Askey. However, Slovenia will continue to participate in the OECD’s global relations programme. The OECD’s Centre for Co-operation with Non-Members develops and oversees the strategic orientation of this relationship and ensures that the dialogue remains focused, forward-looking and mutually beneficial.

Areas of work

In the context of a bilateral programme with the country (1995-2000), the OECD undertook an Economic Survey of Slovenia in 1997. Since then, other OECD studies on Slovenia have focused on its national accounts system, education, labour market and social policies, agriculture and investment policy.

Slovenia’s participation in OECD general activities

In September 2001, Slovenia acceded to the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Slovenia signed the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises  in January 2002 and the Council Act related to the Mutual Acceptance of Data in the Assessment of Chemicals in May 2004.  Slovenia is a participant in several OECD committees and Working Groups and a regular observer in another five OECD Committees as well as all Committees of the Nuclear Energy Agency. Slovenian Ministers also participate in the OECD Ministerial Council Meetings. Furthermore, Slovenia participates in the Co-operative Action Programme on Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED), in the Bologna Process and in the International Transport Forum.