Slovenia

1) REFERENCES

Commission Opinion [COM(97) 2010 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(98) 709 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(1999) 512 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2000) 712 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2001) 700 final - SEC(2001) 1755 - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1411 - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1208 - Not published in the Official Journal]Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236 of 23.09.2003]

2) SUMMARY

In its Opinion of July 1997, the European Commission expressed the view that Slovenia had made notable and rapid progress in adopting the Community's transport acquis. Provided it made further efforts on road haulage (especially market access and taxation) and clarified financial procedures in the rail sector, the transport sector was unlikely to pose major problems as regards adoption of the internal market acquis. However, steps should be taken to ensure that the necessary means were provided to lay the basis for the future trans-European transport network.

The November 1998 Report confirmed that the harmonisation process was continuing at a satisfactory pace, though more competition was required in all the transport sectors as well as effective application of the legislation. Administrative structures would also have to be created or reinforced.

In its October 1999 Report, the Commission found that Slovenia has reached "a significant level of legislative harmonisation and integration" in the area of transport.

In its November 2000 Report, the Commission noted that Slovenia was to a large extent able to meet the requirements of the EC transport acquis.

In its November 2001 Report, the Commission pointed out that Slovenia had continued to align its legislation with the acquis and had achieved significant progress, in particular in the fields of road transport, air transport and maritime transport.

The October 2002 Report notes that Slovenia has continued to align its legislation with the acquis and made further progress, particularly through the adoption of implementing legislation to complement a number of framework laws adopted the previous year. Slovenia's efforts now need to focus on implementation of the social and technical acquis in the road sector and further legislative alignment and institutional development in the rail sector.

The 2003 Report indicates that Slovenia is essentially meeting the commitments and requirements arising from the accession negotiations. However, it needs to reinforce its administrative capacities for the management of projects concerning trans-European transport networks and in the area of rail transport, and to complete legislative alignment in the areas of inland waterways, road transport, rail transport, air transport and maritime transport.

COMMUNITY ACQUIS

Community transport policy consists of initiatives in three fundamental areas.

The Europe Agreement provides for harmonisation of Slovene legislation with Community law, cooperation aimed at restructuring and modernising transport, improvement of access to the transport market, facilitation of transit and achievement of operating standards comparable to those in the Community. The White Paper focuses on measures for the accomplishment of internal market conditions in the transport sector, including such aspects as competition and legislative harmonisation.

EVALUATION

As regards horizontal issues, Slovenia has approved the final TINA report which should form the basis for extending the trans-European Networks to Slovenia. Some specific efforts are needed concerning the framework for financing and the high-speed train interoperability.

As regards land transport, legislation implementing the law on the transport of dangerous goods from January 2000 were adopted, as well as amendments to rules on the weight and dimension of vehicles and to the road safety act adopted in June 2000. The latter amendments also provide for an appropriate payment system relating to annual road usage fees, adjust the road transport safety and align the performance of road worthiness tests for specific vehicles. Slovenia has ratified the INTERBUS Agreement on occasional Passenger Transport by Bus.

In 2001, the new Road Transport Act was adopted, covering various aspects of road transport, such as access to national and international passenger and goods transport markets. A new Road Transport Inspectorate, which will issue EC licences for road transport operators and enforce legislation, was established in 2001.

Rules on licences for the provision of road transport services have been issued, and an Act amending the Public Roads Act was adopted in 2002 to regulate inspections at border crossing points in anticipation of the change of regime that will result from full membership. Slovenia has also adopted rules on the transport of dangerous substances on the basis of the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act. In 2003, alignment with the fiscal and social acquis was completed. Implementing legislation in the technical field remains to be adopted as regards speed limitation devices, technical roadside inspections of commercial vehicles, digital tachographs and transportable pressure equipment.

As regards trans-European Transport Networks, the Government adopted a highway construction and maintenance programme in 2001. The rehabilitation of existing railway lines is under way, and a new direct railway link with Hungary has been opened. Slovenia has also concluded an agreement with Italy on the route of the future high-speed rail link between Venice and Ljubljana.

In the railway sector, the law on rail transport, adopted in November 1999, defines the public service obligations, determines infrastructure access conditions and foresees the restructuring and privatisation of Slovenian Railways. The Railway Transport Safety Act regulating railway infrastructure, railway rolling stock and the rules on the operation of control and safety systems was adopted in 2000.

In 2002, further legislation was adopted implementing some of the technical railway safety acquis. The recently established Rail Agency needs to be further strengthened, in particular through specialised training of staff.

As regards air transport, the adoption in February 2000 of the Act on Obligatory and Other Legal Relations in Aviation, which regulates liabilities and contractual relations in the aviation sector, should be noted. Secondary legislation was also passed in the area of technical harmonisation and on noise reduction. Negotiations between the EC and Slovenia on the multilateral agreement establishing a European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) were concluded at the end of 1999 with the signing of the bilateral country protocol. Budget appropriations for the recruitment of 39 staff by the civil aviation authority during 2000 were also adopted.

In 2001, Slovenia adopted the Aviation Act, which sets the conditions and requirements for aircraft, flight personnel, airports, infrastructure, etc. Moreover, Slovenia became a full member of the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA). Lastly, a new investigating body is currently being set up to carry out tasks related to the investigation and prevention of civil aviation accidents and incidents. In 2003, the framework legislation was largely transposed and is in line with the acquis. However, some modifications are needed, notably with regard to slot allocation and ground handling.

In the field of maritime transport, secondary legislation on the institutions entitled to perform safety checking of ships, in view of Slovenia's ratification of the Paris Memorandum on Port State Control was adopted. The government also adopted a decree on the reduction of port fees for segregated ballast tankers, as well as rules on the examination of pilots. The maritime transport administration is being reinforced with budget appropriations to recruit seven more staff in 2000 having been adopted.

In 2001, Slovenia adopted the Maritime Code and the relevant International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions in the area of oil pollution.

In 2002, rules were adopted on conditions for safe port traffic and maintenance of order in Slovene ports and territorial waters.

Slovenia still needs to adopt certain implementing provisions, in particular in relation to the acquis adopted under the "Erika" packages, and with regard to the latest amendments to the acquis on passenger ships, fishing vessels, marine equipment and port reception facilities.

Last updated: 10.03.2004