INTERVIEW BY THE PRESIDENT MILAN KUCAN FOR PORTUGAL PRESS AGENCY LUSA
Official visit of the president of the Republic of Slovenia to Portugal

Lisbon (Portugal), 28 March 2000


PRESS AGENCY LUSA
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR VISIT TO LISBON AT A MOMENT WHEN PORTUGAL HOLDS THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE EU?

MILAN KUCAN
The visit is a good and fortunate opportunity for Slovenia. In my talks with my host and the prime minister I will try to present Slovenia, its readiness for accession to the European Union, as well as the reasons why Slovenia should join the EU at the soonest possible date. I am convinced that I will find understanding collocutors in my talks, also since Portugal and Slovenia share many similarities.

Your country has important experience with entering into a democratic system and into the EU. In my talks, which I am looking forward to very much, I will be mainly interested in the role of smaller countries in today’s European Union and in an enlarged Union. During its own accession, Portugal was facing some of the same problems, in the fields of regional policy and privatisation, for instance. It is therefore not difficult to find reasons for interest in exchanging views and seeking a way for future cooperation between the two states in relation to the European Union.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
SLOVENIA HOPES TO JOIN TH EU IN THE NEXT ENLARGEMENT, IN JANUARY 2003?

MILAN KUCAN
In its negotiating position Slovenia has committed itself to be ready for the implementation of the acquis communautaire by 31 December 2002. Compared to the other candidate countries, which, like Slovenia, have submitted all 29 negotiating positions, we are requesting relatively few transitional periods and derogations. We very carefully studied where these are truly needed. Slovenia is adopting 'European legislation' at an accelerated pace, it is establishing and reorganising the necessary institutions, and it is adopting and implementing the acquis according to the programme it has set out. As a country in transition into a market economy, Slovenia is gradually introducing privatisation and liberalisation in various areas.

Slovenia has already completed a considerable part of the negotiating process. It is also a relatively unproblematic candidate, for it is a small and relatively well-developed country, meaning that enlargement in its case would prove to be relatively 'cheap' for the Union. The current situation and the demands in areas that constitute the core of the internal market, such as the free movement of capital and persons, are quite unproblematic. Sovenia is also unproblematic from the aspect of EU enlargement in areas where the acquis is more substantial and more demanding for Slovenia. These are smaller, manageable problems, though. Slovenia is convinced that with its capacity the European Commission will be capable of completing the expert and technical task of accession negotiations by taking into account the progress individual candidates have already made in these negotiations.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
THERE ARE STILL SOME PROBLEMS TO BE RESOLVED, INCLUDING THE ADOPTION OF SOME CHAPTERS OF THE ACQIUS BEFORE IT CAN JOIN? WHAT ARE THOSE PROBLEMS IN CONCRETE. ARE YOU GIONG TO ASK FOR PORTUGAL'S HELP?

MILAN KUCAN
Of course, there are problems, and we are working on resolving them. They are similar to the problems Portugal was facing at the time of its accession or to those of other candidate countries today. They are most clearly present in an institutionally and substantively unreformed public administration, slow privatisation of the banking and insurance sectors, the slow liberalisation of telecommunications, the system of agricultural payments, duty-free shops, and others. The Portuguese experience in reforming public administration will be very useful.

Most problems with the implementation of the extensive legislation are to be expected in areas where such implementation will also entail considerable costs and major systemic changes. Such areas are environmental protection and agriculture, for example. Slovenia would be grateful for Portugal's assistance in resolving problems in these complicated areas. It is well aware that Portugal has a wealth of experience in the very areas that could prove problematic in Slovenia's accession to the European Union.

In its last report the Commission (October 1999) was critical of Slovenia concerning backlogs in courts, the slow pace of property restitution and administrative capacity. For a majority of the criteria, though, Slovenia's progress was assessed as positive, with a favourable situation compared to other candidates,.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
DO YOU FEAR THAT CANDIDACY OF SIX COUNTRIES CAN JEOPARDISE SLOVENIA'S ENTRY?

MILAN KUCAN
Slovenia welcomes the onset of negotiations with six new candidates for EU membership. In view of the European Union's position that it will judge the candidates according to their individual merits and on the basis of objective criteria, Slovenia is optimistic as regards EU accession in the first round of enlargement.
We want and justifiably expect EU membership. There is a fear, not only in our country but in other candidates as well, that the pace of negotiations might slow down and that the accession of new members will be postponed until the end of the decade. I am sure that my collocutors will clarify that this fear is unjustified and will convince me that accession will take the form of a regatta, not a convoy. Formalised group accession to the EU would mean that the EU has decided to stall the accession process.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
ARE THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU GOING WELL? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES AND HOW FAR THEY HAVE ADVANCED?

MILAN KUCAN
Slovenia is successfully following the pace of negotiations of the former first group of canndidates. It has submitted all 29 negotiating positions and has provisionally closed 9 negotiation chapters. Negotiations are currently under way in 14 chapters, while we expect the remaining 6, including the toughest of all – agriculture, to be opened during Portugal's presidency. An overview of the entire content of negotiations will be possible once all chapters will be opened at the conference. That is also when Slovenia will have a comprehensive overview of the EU's views on the remaining six chapters, which are deemed as the more difficult ones in the negotiating process. Only then will negotiating priorities be set.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
YOU ARE ALSO ASKING TO JOIN NATO. HOW ARE THE NEGOTIATIONS AT THIS STAGE AND WHEN DO YU THINK THAT CAN HAPPEN? HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR SLOVENIA, A FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC, TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE, CONSIDERING ALL THE PROBLEMS FACED IN THE BALKANS?

MILAN KUCAN
We still regret that the Madrid NATO enlargement summit omitted Slovenia. Communication is lively, in particular cooperation within Partnership for Peace. Slovenia is also taking part in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Cyprus, and is investing great effort in full compliance with the standards required for NATO membership. The share of defence in the GDP will be gradually increased. We know that the decision expected for late 2002 will be a political one, as were others before. We are convinced that due to its geopolitical position and seventy years of experience with the Balkans, Slovenia, never a member of the Warsaw Pact, will be able to contribute to an even greater extent to joint Euro-Atlantic efforts for achieving lasting peace and democracy in the region as a member of NATO.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
AT THE DOMESTIC LEVEL, HOW DO YOU ENVISAGE YOUR FUTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT OF CROATIA? DO YOU BELIEVE THE CHANGE IN THE LEADERSHIP OF CROATIA WILL HELP IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOUR AND SOLVE SOME CONTATIOUS ISSUES, INCLUDING THE DISPUTE OVER THE PIRAN BAY AND THE MANAGEMENTE OF THE KRSKO NUCLEAR PLANT?

MILAN KUCAN
Political changes in Croatia promise not only a different image for this country, but also positive consequences for the unity of Bosnia-Herzegovina and, understandably, also good political relations between Slovenia and Croatia. I can say that Croatia's new President Mesiæ and I are also personal friends. Let me also say that I am grateful to him for keeping me informed on the intentions of the Yugoslav Army and the Serbian national political elite in the most difficult moments of the break-up of former Yugoslavia of which he was then President of the Federal Presidency. His most recent official visit to Slovenia, also his first official visit abroad, convinces me that it will be much simpler to resolve all the open issues, from the border at sea to the management of the only nuclear power station in Slovenia. We both agree that it is possible to quickly find common ground by mutually respecting the national interests of both countries, after that solutions are just a matter of political and legal technique.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
THE ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN SLOVENIA AND PORTUGAL ARE MINIMAL. DO YOU INTEND WITH YOUR VISIT TO CHANGE THIS SITUATION? DO YOU BELIVE COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR TWO SMALL COUNTRIES CAN BENIFICIAL FOR BOTH IN THE FUTURE, INCLIDING WITHIN THE EU?

MILAN KUCAN
True, economic cooperation between the two countries is modest. Although the volume of trade is increasing every year, exports to Portugal in 1999 amounted to USD 11.8 million and imports to USD 13.65 million. The structure of trade is quite diverse. I believe that together we will be able to find reason as well as interest for cooperation, both of which certainly exist on both sides. Let me just mention the interest in accelerating investment activities of both countries in third markets (Latin America, South Eastern Europe). Undoubtedly the very composition of our delegation and the numerous business personalities accompanying it speaks for itself, and I am convinced that our visit will be able to give economic cooperation a new impetus.

PRESS AGENCY LUSA
IN TERMS OF BILATERAL RELATIONS I'VE GOT THE IMPRESSION, WHEN I RECENTLY VISITED SLOVENIA, THAT THERE WAS GREAT INTEREST IN EXPLORING SOME FIELDS, INCLUDING SOME INDUSTRIAL SECTORS LIKE CAR PARTS AND TURISM? DO YOU CONFIRM THIS?ARE THERE OTHER FORMS OF COOPERATION THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR BOTH COUNTRIES? DO YOU PLAN TO SIGN ANY COOPERATION AGREMENTS DURING YOUR VISIT?

MILAN KUCAN
There is a solid base of bilateral agreements between the two countries, offering an adequate basis for economic cooperation (protection, promotion and incentives to investments, regulation of road, air and maritime transport), cooperation in defence, culture and education. There are a further three agreements in procedure: avoidance of double taxation, scientific and technical cooperation, and an agreement on fighting against organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and international terrorism. We are expecting a reply from the Portuguese side on all three agreements that are currently in procedure.

The Republic of Slovenia has great interest in establishing cooperation with Portugal in the field of tourism. Portugal has succeeded, in a very short span of time, to integrate a large part of the private sector into investing in tourist infrastructure. Portugal has also been successful in acquiring EU funding for the revitalisation of its cultural monuments, thus additionally improving its tourist offering. An exchange of experience with Portugal in the field of tourism would be very beneficial for Slovenia.