Skupna deklaracija Evropske skupnosti in njenih držav članic ter Slovenije o političnem dialogu

On the occasion of the signature of the trade and economic cooperation agreement between the European Community and Slovenia, the European Community and its Member states as well as Slovenia, hereafter »the parties«, express their resolution to reinforce and intensify their mutual relations in the political, economic and cultural fields.

Accordingly, the parties have agreed to establish a regular political dialogue which will accompany and consolidate their rapprochement, support the political and economic changes underway in Slovenia and contribute, to the establishment of lasting links of solidarity and new forms of cooperation. The political dialogue, based on shared values and aspirations, will aim at:

1. Reinforcing democratic principles and institutions, as well as respect for human rights, with particular regard to. the rights of people belonging to minorities and the treatment of such minorities.

2. Supporting the transition to market economy in Slovenia.

3. Facilitating Slovenia's full integration into the Community of democratic nations and progressive rapprochement with the Community.

4. Bringing about mutual understanding and increasing convergence of positions on international issues, and in particular on those matters likely to have substantial effects on one or the other party.

5. Enabling each party to consider the position and interests of the other party in their respective decision making process.

6. Supplementing the efforts being made by Slovenia to achieve in the EC framework regional and trans-frontier cooperation.

7. Enhancing security and stability in the whole of Europe.

The political dialogue between the parties will take place through contacts, exchanges and consultations, in particular in the following forms:

– meeting at ministerial level

– meetings at senior official level between Slovenian officials on the one hand, and the presidency of the Council of the European Communities and the Commission of the European Communities on the other

– providing mutual information on foreign policy decisions, taking full advantage 6f diplomatic channels, including contacts in the bilateral as well as the multilateral field, such as United Nations. CSCE meetings and elsewhere

– contacts at parliamentary level

– any other means which would contribute to consolidating, developing and stepping up the political dialogue between the parties.

If and when appropriate the parties agree to review the proposed arrangements on the basis of future needs and constraints.