Enlargement of the European Union: the case of Slovenia

In this article, we present certain historical developments, problems and successes that have characterized Slovenia's attempts to join the EC/EU. The article discusses the EU's position in a changing world and the consequences of enlargement of its future role in international economic relations. The direction and extent of future European integration will be interrelated with the internal modification of the enlarged EU as well as its external relations. Enlargement is not only in the interests of 'would-be members', but also in the interests of the EU and its member states because it facilitates certain economic and security goals of the whole of Europe after the Cold War. The second part of the article deals with some theoretical alternatives to joining the EU. Joining the EU is the best strategy for Slovenia as a small country since the costs of the alternatives are higher. However, in spite of prevailing public support for full membership there are still many dilemmas. Slovenia as a country in transition has to undertake most of the reforms required for EU accession in any event. Most of these costs are therefore not accession-specific but transition-specific. Slovenian policy towards the EU has so far been to a large extent determined by external factors on one side and path dependency on the other. Many problems and dilemmas with regard to future processes of integration with the EU arise not only from the CEECs but also from the EU. Countries in transition are following the EU, which is itself a moving target.