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Slovenia: Eu Presidency
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The percentage of regular Internet users in Slovenia was highest among the 16 to 24 year-olds, as 81% of them said they went online at least once a week. The percentage is above the EU average of 73%. The Eurostat report ranks Slovenia slightly above the European average of households and companies having an Internet connection. The report shows that 54% of Slovenian households have an Internet connection, whereas the EU average is 52%.
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Slovenia is an Alpine-mountain state in central Europe consisting mainly of Roman Catholic Slovenes. In 1918 Slovenia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes—subsequently named Yugoslavia. Slovenia proclaimed its independence in June 1991, prompting a ten-day conflict that brought defeat to the Serb-dominated Yugoslav Army. It is the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav republics, with the region's highest standard of living. Its Western outlook and economic stability won Slovenia membership in both NATO and the EU in 2004.
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In early 1990, buoyed by the recent revolutions across Eastern Europe, Slovenia introduced a multiparty system and elected a non-Communist government. Demands for increased autonomy from Yugoslavia were stepped up, with the threat of secession. A referendum was held, and nearly 90% of the electorate voted for independence. Unlike the other Yugoslav republics, Slovenia was made up almost exclusively of a single ethnic group: Slovenes. Thus, the potential status of ethnic minorities, should the republic secede, was never an issue. Slovenia proclaimed independence on June 25, 1991, and the so-called 10-Day War followed.
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Slovenia were surprise qualifiers for Euro 2000 when they beat Ukraine in a playoff. They turned some heads during the tournament, drawing with Yugoslavia and Norway, and only losing to Spain 2-1. Slovenia achieved another major success two years later, qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, this time defeating Romania in a playoff. They did not lose a match in their whole qualifying campaign, recording 7 wins and 7 draws. However, they did not do as well in the finals, as they went home pointless.
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Slovenia is the first state from east-central Europe to join the euro zone, membership of which has been a mixed blessing for its founding members. The fixed exchange rate seems unlikely to pose any problems for Slovenia, as the tolar has in effect been fixed to the euro for over two years. The risks of inflationary problems are less easy to gauge, but they will be watched with interest by those states committed to adopt the currency at some point in the future.
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Economic management in Slovenia is relatively good. Public finances showed modest deficit of 1.2% of GDP in 2006. The government policy is aimed toward bringing the deficit to 1% of GDP by 2009. The budget of 2006 constrains public deficit to 1.4% of GDP, well within Maastricht parameters. The current account balance has improved significantly as a result of stronger exports and a changed composition of imports by economic purpose. In 2006, the current account balance showed a deficit of € 773 million.
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