20th Anniversary of Slovenia’s Membership of the European Union

Slovenia became a full member of the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004, along with nine other central and eastern European countries.

This was the fifth and largest expansion of the EU. Such a significant expansion required careful preparation on the EU side. The existing EU member states therefore adopted the Treaty of Nice, which entered into force on 1 February 2003, in this way preparing the ground for the major enlargement on 1 May 2004.

This year we celebrate 20 years of Slovenia’s membership of the European Union. Membership has brought us financial and development benefits, given citizens the opportunity to seek employment in other member states and simplified travel within the EU. The common currency – the euro – has simplified business for companies and made payments easier for individuals. Membership of the EU brings other benefits as well, but also responsibilities. Together with the other 26 member states we must ensure that Europe remains a continent with different traditions and languages but with shared values such as democracy, freedom and social justice. In the future we must continue to sit at the same table as we seek solutions and adopt decisions for the good of all Europeans.