Luxembourg, 26/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - "On the tenth anniversary of the country's independence, we have all congratulated Slovenia for the remarkable progress it has made along the road towards European Union membership", Anna Lindh said on Tuesday, in Luxembourg, after the meeting of the EU/Slovenia Association Council. Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enlargement, considered that if Slovenia were able to "survive" the serious crisis that reigned at the time when its country became independent in 1991, and if it were able to develop as a democracy and stable market economy, "this is partly thanks to the prospect of accession", proposed to it shortly after its independence. "As I see it, Slovenia is a model that proves to what extent European integration is important for peace, stability and democracy throughout Europe", said Mr Verheugen. Given the high number of chapters (20) closed to date in negotiations, the chances of seeing Slovenia join the EU in 2004 are excellent, said the Commissioner. "After the Gothenburg Summit, it seems to be clear that the Slovenian citizens may take part in the European elections of 2004", he said.
During the Association Council, the EU mainly insisted that Slovenia should speed up reform of its judiciary system, in order to be able to reduce the very high number of legal cases that have been pending for too long. Great progress has been made concerning the transposition of the Community body of law into the Slovene body of law, but additional effort will be needed to create administrative institutions able to implement and to monitor its correct application, stressed the Fifteen. Slovenia, moreover, was invited to pursue its efforts with a view to reaching a bilateral agreement with Croatia on the delimitation of land and sea borders in the south west of the country.