The Central European country of Slovenia is part of the family of 27 Member States of the European Union with which it has established close economic, social and political links. Steve Rupert finds out what this means for the country

Slovenia has been an EU Member State since 1 May 2004. In the three years since, Slovenia has written a multi-chaptered success story during its integration into the single European area. The first chapter of this success story was written a year earlier, on 23 March 2003, when 89.64 percent of voters made the decision to enter the European Union. Today, Slovenia is part of the family of 27 EU Member States which are deeply linked, economically, socially and politically. Slovenia is represented in all EU institutions and participates in all decisions adopted by these institutions.

It has a commissioner in the European Commission, seven members in the European Parliament and a voice equal to that of other Member States in decisions of the EU Council. On 1 January 2007, the Republic of Slovenia strengthened its ties to other Member States of the European Union when it became the 13th country to adopt the single European currency - the euro. Although in the past Slovenia changed its national currency several times, this change represented something different. The adoption of the single European currency signified great changes for consumers, companies and Slovenia as a whole. Slovenia took this change as a unique opportunity for integration in the single euro area.

Good news
The positive effects of this integration can already be seen today. In the area of tourism, this means the elimination of transactions costs which arise during travel to countries where the legal tender is the euro. This ultimately means 'more vacation for euro-cash'. Another positive effect can be seen in the reduction of risks with regard to investments between EU Member States, which could lead to increased interest in investment in the Slovenian economy, including Slovenian tourism, by foreign investors. And finally: being a Member State with a powerful currency also strengthens the sense of belonging to the European Union which, in a time of globalisation and intense competition, is that much more important.

Opportunities
In addition to the financial and development advantages of EU membership, employment opportunities in other Member States are gradually opening to Slovenian citizens. Travel within the EU is also considerably easier. Together with seven other new European Union Member States and Switzerland, Slovenia will contribute to the expansion of the EU's internal borders. For tourism, entry to the area without internal borders will, above all, mean an opportunity to enjoy a Europe 'without borders'. Possibly the greatest challenge for the young Slovenian nation will be the presidency of the European Union Council in the first half of 2008. 2007 was a year of intense preparations for Slovenia's EU presidency from January to June 2008.

The country's presidency of the European Union is a great opportunity to present Slovenia to Europe and the rest of the world as a young country steeped in tradition; as a confident, but open and accessible country and as a country of proud, but friendly people. The EU presidency is Slovenia's greatest opportunity, and at the same time, greatest obligation to present a country, which for some time now, has no longer been the last, undefined spot on the map of Europe. Slovenia is becoming an important player in the global, and particularly, in the European competitive 'game' in terms of reputation, investments, for export markets and not least of all for tourists. Slovenia is aware of what the EU presidency means and the unique chance it present for the country and the tourism industry in media terms. It is an excellent and almost unique opportunity to increase Slovenia's presence in the European and global media, and thus amongst the general and professional public.

This will contribute significantly to increasing recognition at the European and international level and justifiably place Slovenia on the global map, and of course, the tourism map. It is also a great opportunity to substantively present Slovenia and its tourism to the foreign target audience and to tear down the "stereotypes" about Slovenia. Just as the establishment of the single European market, more than ten years ago, was a matter of course for the world, membership of the European Union is indispensable for the country, and all Slovenes, four years after its inclusion.