Külügyi Szemle - A Teleki László Intézet Külpolitikai Tanulmányok Központja folyóirata - 2002 (1. évfolyam)
2002 / 4. szám - RÉSUMÉ - Szilágyi Imre: Slovenia and NATO
Resumé Imre Szilágyi: Slovenia and NATO Slovenia, which became independent after the war in 1991, had one overarching foreign policy goal, which enjoyed broad consensus: joining the European Community. The Slovenes did not think of joining NATO at that time; the antimilitarist considerations already appeared in some parts of society. However, some members of the political elite realized in 1992-1993 that the country should aspire to NATO- membership as well. The negotiations were proceeding smoothly, but it could always be felt that the American foreign policy was uncertain as to what region it should put Slovenia - in Central Europe or in the Balkans. Though the Slovenes received numerous acknowledgements from western diplomats in 1996-1997, Slovenia was not invited to join NATO in 1997. It is also true that the Slovenes made rather slow progress in the fields of regional cooperation and military reforms, but the main reason for their leaving out was explained by most observers with foreign political considerations (France's ideas with regard to Romania and the American domestic political situation). After the invitatoion failed to realize, the Slovene authorities made great efforts in the field of military reforms, but they still keep defense expenditure low. Despite this fact, NATO now wishes to admit Slovenia, but the major problem now is that a part of the Swlovene population (about 40 percent of those polled) permanently object to joining NATO, while roughly an equally large group supports membership. The Slovene politicians hope that they will be able to secure the positive vote of the majority of the population at a referendum on the question of membership in NATO. 226 Külügyi Szemle
