91999E0738

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0738/99

by Alessandro Danesin (PPE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Negotiations on Slovenia's accession to the European Union

Thanks to the genuine progress made by the country's institutions, with the political stability and economic reliability they have achieved, Slovenia is one of the six countries in the first (priority) group with which the European Union began negotiations for accession as early as March 1998 (even though the Europe Agreement only entered into force on 1 February).

However, the question of how to return properties belonging to the Italian minority that has always been in its territory has still not been resolved (confiscation of property still occurs, although to a lesser extent, and was part of an arrogant policy of expropriation under the preceding Yugoslav regime).

Despite the agreements between the Italian and Slovenian Governments, this situation continues to represent a clear case of discrimination against the rights of the Italian minority and, in the light of the European Union's new relationship with Slovenia, it seems even more unjustified now that accession negotiations are under way.

The accession criteria laid down at the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, which applicant countries are required to meet prior to accession, include only one political criterion, namely full respect for minority rights, including the return of property confiscated in the past.

The Commission:

1. Is it aware of this outstanding issue?

2. Has it already considered the matter during its talks with the Slovenian authorities (the first Association Council meeting is due to be held very soon)?

3. Does it believe that progress in the negotiations should be made conditional on a solution to this question?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission is aware that the process of denationalisation in Slovenia is proceeding very slowly. The Commission is not aware of any discrimination of the Italian minority in Slovenia regarding the process of denationalisation. The current law on denationalisation does not foresee any discrimination of this kind. According to the law, members of the Italian minority enjoy equal rights when they apply for Slovene citizenship.

The general issue of the denationalisation process was recently discussed with the Slovene government at the meeting of the association committee Community/Slovenia held in Ljubljana on 25 March 1999. The government provided updated information on the status of this process.

In view of the above considerations, there is no need to alter the course of the accession negotiations.