Slovenia - NATO - MAP 2001-2002
Annual National Programme for the Implementation of the
Membership Action Plan 2001-2002, Executive Summary
The third Annual National Programme (ANP) for the Implementation of
the Membership Action Plan 2001-2002 is based on the first two MAP
cycles. Experience gained during the implementation of the first two
MAP cycles as well as the evaluations, recommendations and advice
given by NATO and the Allies, were taken into account. The fundamental
goal headline remains the same: membership in NATO is a strategic
national priority of Slovenia and is crucial for its security and
vital national interests as well as for the further strengthening of
its democratic principles. The Interministerial Working Group for
Co-operation with NATO (IWG) remains the basic organisational
framework for the ANP implementation.
Internal Political Situation and International Activity
Following the parliamentary elections held in October 2000, a broad
coalition government was formed. The coalition holds a sound majority
in the Parliament. The Government has reconfirmed membership in the EU
and NATO as two main foreign policy priorities. All parliamentary
parties (except one) are in consensus on these two issues and they
also enjoy a broad public support (July 2001: 56,4%).
Slovenia has been contributing to the stabilisation of
South-Eastern Europe, with its active participation in the NATO-led
peace support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) and in
Kosovo (KFOR) with 141 military personnel. The International Trust
Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance has spread its
activities to Macedonia and the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia. Slovenia is well aware of the serious problem of
international terrorism. Slovenia will support and actively contribute
to international counter-terrorism efforts with all available
resources.
Administrative Issues
Progress in administrative institution building was recognised and
praised, while the general assessment of the process of the public
administration reform was unfavourable. To this end two laws were
amended, three bills are in legislative procedures and inspection law
is being drafted. The Government adopted the Strategy of Education in
Public Administration. 3,850 servants and officers in public
administration will be trained in 2001-2002.
In 2000, the number of unsolved important matters was the lowest in
the last five years due to a decrease of 12,8%. It is expected that
the number of backlogs will be further reduced due to the measures
adopted in 2000 and 2001.
From the passing of the Denationalisation Act in 1991, 36.000
claims were filed; 23.000 or 64% of cases have been fully resolved. In
order to implement this act some new measures were adopted by the
Government. The total value of the claimed property is USD 2 billion
of which property valued at USD 1.2 billion or 59% has already been
restituted. The laws exclude the possibility of discrimination in
denationalisation procedures.
Protection of Minorities and Other Ethnic Groups
Slovenia guarantees the protection of minorities and other ethnic
groups in compliance with its Constitution and international
agreements. The protection of minorities is fully provided and is at a
higher level than stipulated by the relevant conventions of the
Council of Europe. The Roma community enjoys special protection. The
measures for ensuring actual equality of the Roma community mostly
focus on their integration into the community and the development of
the culture, providing of information and preservation of their
identity and tradition.
Relations with Neighboring Countries and Regional Co-Operation
Neighboring Countries
Slovenia maintains good and diverse relations with all four
neighbors. These relations are developed at all levels and stimulated
by numerous bilateral agreements as well as by good economic
co-operation, intensive political, security, cultural and social
contacts, and by the co- operation between civil societies. Trade
between Slovenia and its neighboring countries comprises one-third of
total Slovenian international trade.
Stability Pact for SouthEastern Europe
The Centre for protecting mental health of children and the
International Centre for Inter-ethnic Relations were established as
part of Slovenia's participation in the projects within the Stability
Pact which contribute to the stabilisation of SouthEastern
Europe. Slovenia co-chaired the Working Table on Democratisation and
Human Rights (WT1) in the first half of 2001. In the area of economic
reconstruction and development (WT2) some assistance projects in
institution building were completed. Within Working Table on Security
Issues (WT3) Slovenia took part in activities within the Subtable on
Defence Security Issues.
Other Regional Activities
Slovenia takes part in the stabilisation of the situation in
South-Eastern Europe through participation in the NATO-led peace
support operations, Stability Pact, and intensive economic
co-operation with the countries in the region. Through the
International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance
(ITF) Slovenia is engaged in demining and mine victims assistance.
The ITF is the main actor in this field in South-Eastern Europe and is
operating in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Kosovo (FRY).
Succession Issues
Following a decade of negotiations on succession issues, the
successor states to the former Socialist Federative Republic of
Yugoslavia (SFRY) concluded the Agreement on Succession Issues to the
Former SFRY in Vienna in June 2001 and in principle resolved the
issues arising upon the dissolution of the former common state. The
conclusion of the agreement signifies the final formal confirmation of
the fact that the former common state dissolved to five equal
successors, and is of great importance for the future relations
between successor states and will contribute to a lasting and stable
development of the entire region.
European Security and Defence Policy
Membership in NATO remains fundamental goal relating to ensuring
national security as an integral part of collective defence. At the
same time European Security and Defense Policy is seen as added value
to the security. In ministerial meeting of EU members and candidates
in Brussels in November 2000, Slovenia offered an infantry squad,
Military Police platoon, transport helicopter, medical unit and
officers and non-comissioned officers to the future European
capabilities.
Information Strategy
The Government is well aware of the importance of the adequate
public support for NATO membership. The Slovenian public opinion is in
general in favour of integration into NATO. In order to introduce to
the public the importance of NATO membership and increase the public
support, the Government has undertaken a series of activities and has
adopted the Information Strategy.
Economic Issues
In 2000 and in the first months of 2001, dynamic economic growth
has been maintained, economic stability has been consolidated and
setting out of the legal framework for functioning market economy has
been promoted. Slovenia has completed most of its structural and
institutional reforms, privatisation of corporate sector and bank
rehabilitation.
Economic growth in 2001 will be more balanced. Increased investment
is expected in 2002. Balance of payments movements in the first four
months of 2001 are positive. Inflation maintains a relatively high
level also in 2001. Favorable trends in employment continue. At the
end of 2000, the total value of FDI in Slovenia amounted to USD 2.8
billion. After 1997, annual inflows stagnated or even decreased
slightly. Government measures adopted in 2000 to boost FDI inflows may
not yet be evaluated, however, the results of this year's first
quarter show a significant increase of inflows.
Security Policy
Strategic Documents of the Republic of Slovenia in the Area of National Security
The new National Security Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia was
adopted by the Parliament on 21 June 2001. It clearly defines
membership of the Republic of Slovenia in NATO and EU as strategic
goals. For this reason the national security policy has been designed
on the premise of the future full NATO membership and is supported by
the corresponding goals of the defence system reform. Slovenia will
continue to contribute to keeping and strengthening peace, stability
and security at the local, regional and global levels. The new
National Security Strategy reassessed the sources of threat to the
country as well its security risks and challenges. It serves as a
basis for subordinate strategies and other developmental and doctrinal
documents which will be revised accordingly and passed to the
Government for adoption by the end of 2001.
Crisis Management
In the near future Slovenia will introduce the necessary legal and
other measures to connect the primary features of the national
security system into an effective system of crisis management, which
will be able to deal with both national and international
crises. Within the framework of the consolidation of existing elements
of crisis management and their updating, activities and tasks will be
targeted chiefly at intensifying training, enhancing crisis management
procedures and measures, and setting up the National Crisis Management
Centre by the end of 2003.
Defence Policy
Defence Strategy
In the light of adoption of the new National Security Strategy, the
Defence Strategy is currently being harmonised with it, and will be
submitted for governmental approval by the end of October 2001. The
Defence Strategy sets out the guidelines for the development of the
entire defence system and thus ensures the co-ordinated development of
its two parts, the military defence system and the civil defence
system. Based on the changes in Slovenia's narrower and wider security
environment and the country's economic capacities, this document sets
out updated frameworks for the future organisation of the defence
system.
Minister's Guidelines
In order to facilitate the achievement of defence policy
objectives, the Minister of Defence, has laid down the Defence
Guidelines for the period 2001-2004, based on the Government's
National Security Guidelines document. The defence/military strategic
goals set for the period 2001-2004 are: to improve the organisation,
operations and preparedness of the national defence system and SAF; to
assure adequate resources to support defence reforms and integration
in the NATO; and to increase the level of readiness for integration
into NATO. These guidelines will be reviewed and adapted in the
beginning of 2002 and will address the period up to 2007.
The Defence Process
At the strategic level of planning, significant progress has been
made with the approval of the National Security Strategy, with
corresponding adaptation of the Defence Strategy and with the
development of the new force structure. The recent Government's
decision to approve the budget for two years will also significantly
improve Slovenian defence planning. By the end of February 2002,
Slovenia will conclude a Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which will
result in a revised Long Term Development Plan. During the period of
the SDR, Slovenia will simultaneously adopt a new defence planning
system.
Civil Emergency Planning (CEP)
The CEP system in Slovenia comprises civil defence, which is a part
of the defence system, and a system of protection against natural and
other disasters, which is an autonomous sub-system of the national
security system. Improvement of the crisis response capabilities and
integration of the already existing elements into a functionally
unified national system of crisis management, is the next step in the
development of the CEP system.
Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF)
The principal tasks of SAF are: the defence of Slovenian territory;
involvement in international operations; assisting civil society
through active engagement in search and rescue missions, participation
in humanitarian relief operations, and other national civil
emergencies. After the accession to NATO, the SAF will also be tasked
with Slovenia's obligations in accordance with Article 5 of the
Washington Treaty. Special emphasis is therefore given to the
development of the collective defence capabilities, to deployment and
employment of Allied reinforcements to Slovenia, and to host nation
support.
The SAF are divided into reaction forces, main defence forces and
supplementary forces. The reaction forces comprise one brigade. The
main defence forces comprise seven brigades (two motorised, two
infantry, one aviation, one air defence and the coastal defence
brigade). The supplementary forces have six territorial military
commands with 15 infantry regiments. The main body of reaction forces
is contained in the 1st Brigade and is directly subordinate to the
General Staff. Within two operational commands (2nd and 3rd) there are
main defence forces and supplementary forces, but within the aviation
operational command (1st ) there are only main defence forces.
The SAF are manned by a combination of professionals, reservists
and conscripts. Peacetime strength is approximately 7,100 personnel
(4,134 professional soldiers, about 3,000 conscripts and 735 civilian
personnel). The wartime strength is 47,000 personnel.
Planned Force Structure
The current force structure of the SAF is too large and not
affordable. It basically doesn't reflect the new security reality,
risks and challenges Slovenia is facing in the 21st Century. It will
therefore be significantly revised and streamlined. A plan for the
restructuring and development of the SAF up to 2004 will be drawn up
by the end of 2001 and submitted to the Government for approval. It is
envisaged that by the end of 2004, the wartime strength of SAF will be
no more than 30,000 service members.
The reduction in the wartime strength will be achieved by
decreasing the number of brigades and territorial units in the
supplementary forces structure. In 2002, all battalions in the main
defence forces without a peacetime core will be disbanded. The SAF
will have professional units (Echelon A), units with a peacetime core,
reserves (Echelon B) and reserve units (Echelon R). During the first
phase of restructuring, the General Staff will retain two operational
commands. Three brigade level units will be directly subordinated to
the General Staff (reaction forces, the aviation and air defence and
the combat and service support units). During 2003 and 2004, both
operational commands will be merged and a single operational command
of forces created. By the end of 2002, 10th Motorised Battalion will
be the first reaction forces battalion to become fully
operational. Units of the main defence forces and the territorial
regiments will be subordinated to the operational commands. There will
be two motorised brigades in the main defence forces with one armour
battalion in each. The aviation and air defence forces will provide
for surveillance and defence of Slovenian airspace, for close air
support to the land forces, and for exchange of information with
NATINADS. The territorial regiments will be comprised of units to be
organised on the territorial principle and training centres for the
supplementary reserve forces.
Equipment, Modernisation and Procurement Plans (major items)
By the end of 2001:
Land forces: 10 light armoured vehicles Valuk will be
introduced into operational use; 30 high- mobility multipurpose
wheeled vehicles will be purchased; 5000 semi-automatic pistols will
be purchased; final procurement of artillery fire control systems.
Aviation and air defence forces: the delivery of Roland
missile system (1 battery) will be concluded; short-range radar
(VSHORAD) has been introduced into operational use; additional
quantities of launch mechanisms for short range air defence (MANPADS)
have been introduced into operational use; the procedure for
introducing the ASOC into operational use and upgrading the wire links
infrastructure has already begun; Bell-412 helicopters upgraded with
weaponry and self-defence system have been introduced into operational
use; 2 multipurpose transport helicopters will be purchased.
Other: protective masks, light protective suit and
decontamination kits will be partly (1/3) purchased; euro-bridge has
been purchased; vehicles for logistics (3-5 t trucks) have been
purchased; C4I: encryption programme equipment will be purchased; C4I:
procedures for the purchase of tactical telecommunication network and
radio equipment have been initiated.
By the end of 2003:
Land forces: additional 10 light armoured vehicles Valuk
will be introduced into operational use; M 84 tanks will be upgraded
with optoelectronic devices; purchase of internal and external means
of communication will be initiated.
Aviation and air defence: introduction of the Roland missile
system into operational use; assurance of transmission of data on the
airspace situation in a digital form in designated units; introduction
of additional SHORAD systems; identification system (IFF) will be
upgraded; modernisation of Bell-412 helicopters; upgrading of airport
infrastructure at Brnik airport; 2 multipurpose transport helicopters
will be delivered.
Other: protective masks, light protective suits and
decontamination kits (each year 1/3) will be delivered; vehicles for
transport of tanks will be purchased; equipped medical vehicle
containers will be purchased; C4I: purchase of tactical
telecommunication network, radio communication devices and GPS will be
concluded.
Training
In 2001, a new concept of training for conscripts has been
introduced, which will according to the restructuring plans support
and allow for the required manning levels for all categories and types
of SAF units. Training of professional military personnel of the 10th
Motorised Battalion is a priority and will be intensified in 2001 and
2002. New basic and advanced training programmes are being prepared to
train professional military personnel effectively and in accordance
with NATO standards.
Military Exercises
In 2001 and 2002 the SAF plans to participate in the exercises
offered in the Partnership Working Program (PWP) and in the exercises
"in the spirit of Partnership for Peace." In 2001 the SAF
has already participated on 9 exercises from 10 planned for this
year. In 2002 the SAF plans to participate in 8 exercises.
Implementation of Partnership Goals
Slovenia has adopted 52 partnership goals for the period 2001 -
2006, of which 33 relate directly to the implementation of the
MAP. Six partnership goals have been already implemented, 35 partly
implemented and by the end of 2001, additional seven will be
implemented. The remaining partnership goals will be implemented
according to the timetable. The implementation of six partnership
goals is under consideration, and five have not started yet. Details
about the implementation of the partnership goals will be available in
the national response to the questionnaire "Survey of the Overall
PARP/PfP Interoperability" 2001.
Participation in Peace-Support Operations and Multinational Formations
Slovenia has been a participant in peace-support operations
conducted under the auspices of NATO and the UN. It has units with the
following international forces and missions: SFOR, KFOR, UNTSO,
UNMIK/UNMAS, UNMIK/CIVPOL, OSCE in Kosovo and Macedonia and UNTAET.
Currently, Slovenia is contributing 112 members of SAF and 22
civilian policemen, altogether 134 persons. On 1st October Slovenia
increased its participation to MSU of SFOR for 23 troops. In the
middle of July 2001 a Slovenian officer began his term of office at
the Office of the high representative in Sarajevo. In 2002 Slovenia
will contribute a total of 140 participants, of whom 112 will be
personnel of the SAF and 30 of the Police, to peace support and
humanitarian operations. 97% of the deployed personnel will be
deployed in the Balkan area.
The SAF participate in the following projects relating to
defence and military cooperation:
- The Multinational Land Force (MLF),
- The South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM),
- The Central European Nations Co-operation in Peace Support (CENCOOP),
The Slovenian police is forming a 40-members police unit to be
included into the system of the EU police units, 10% of the unit will
be ready for the immediate deployment to crisis area.
Partnership for Peace (PfP) Programme and Activities
Slovenia supports and is committed to the fundamental idea of the
Partnership for Peace. For the Republic of Slovenia, participation in
the PfP remains one of the most important factors of integration into
NATO. In the 2002-2003 IPP, Slovenia will again focus primarily on
areas that support the implementation of Partnership Goals and the
MAP, and planned activities in the Annual National Programme (ANP) for
implementation of MAP. Priorities will remain the same however,
activities will be rationalised and focused on quality. More attention
will be paid to personnel management for participation in IPP
activities and to making the programme more realistic. This will
result in a higher level of implementation. In the next cycle of the
MAP, Slovenia will again make use of the Operational Capability
Concept (OCC) and the PfP Training and Education Enhancement Programme
(TEEP) to the fullest extent possible.
Bilateral Co-operation with Allies and Partners
Slovenia sees bilateral co-operation with NATO members and partner
nations as an essential element in implementing the MAP. Plans for
bilateral co-operation are linked to Partnership Goals implementation
and are complementary to the IPP. In the area of bilateral
co-operation Slovenia has embarked on more goal-oriented activities in
2001, which will also supplement the country's Annual National
Programme in the future. Particular importance in bilateral
co-operation programmes is given to neighbouring countries and to NATO
members, with which an enhanced form of co-operation in the sense of
supplementing the MAP has been established.
The main guideline for implementing the ANP 2000-2001 was the SAF
General Long-Term Development and Equipping Programme for the period
up to 2010 (GLTDEP), adopted in February 2000 by the Parliament. The
accomplishment of the ANP 2000-2001 demonstrated that the plan was
unrealistic. The GLTDEP is currently being revised and will be
submitted to the Parliament by the end of February 2002.
Financial Resources
An important new element in resource planning has been the
introduction of two-year budget planning, which will enhance the
quality of decision-making processes. The costs of participation in
the PfP are covered by Slovenia itself.
Planed defence expenditure in 2001 is 1.46 % of GDP, or SIT 66.7
billion (USD 274.5 million, calculated using the forecast average
exchange rate of the dollar for 2001 of SIT 243.1). There is a
noticeable increase in the share of the defence budget in the overall
Slovenian national budget (5.15%). The real defence expenditure in
2001 will depend on the implementation of procurement programmes
expected to be SIT 14.5 billion (USD 59.7 million).
The defence budget for 2001 guarantees implementation of activities
outlined in ANP 2001-2002 with a focus on restructuring of the SAF and
SAF international obligations. It will ensure Slovenia's participation
in multinational military formations and in peace-support operations,
and will enable to fully man and equip the 10th Motorised Battalion.
Projection of Expenditure for 2002-2005
The defence expenditure projection from 2002 to 2005 envisages a
gradual increase in the share of defence expenses in the GDP from 1.46
% in 2001 to 1.56% in 2005. Data for 2002 and 2003 are harmonised with
the Ministry of Finance and are already within the Slovenian national
budget for those two years. The projections take into account the
proposal for the extension of the Law on Basic Development Programmes,
according to which additional 60 billion SIT (246,8 million USD) will
be assured for the equipping of the SAF between 2003 - 2007.
Resources Planning
The key activity of the Republic of Slovenia within resource
planning by the end of 2001 is the development of a six-year cycle of
planning defence resources. The crucial objective is to produce firm
costings which will support the proposed force structure. By the end
of 2001 plans will also be developed regarding personnel, equipment,
development of infrastructure, training and operations, which will
constitute a comprehensive review of the allocation of funds within
the defence budget. This approach will enable an early estimate of the
feasibility of long-term plans and will coincide with the annual cycle
of planning, which in turn will be reflected in the implementation of
the selected model of planning in 2002.
Personnel Resources
In order to meet the requirements of proposed new force structure,
it is indented to increase significantly the professional element of
the SAF from 4,100 at the end of 2000, to about 5,300 in 2004 and to a
final figure of 7,100 in 2010. Governmental approval already exists
for an increase of 300 each year. The retention dimension of manning
the SAF has also been recognised.
Recruitment efforts are presently aimed at recruiting troops, as
this is the main requirement to complete the manning of the 10th
Motorised Battalion. In addition to the normal turnover of personnel,
some 380 officers and NCOs no longer meet the requirements of the
SAF. It is intended to develop a special programme for the early
retirement of these personnel.
The planned final structure of the regular component of the SAF in
2010 is: 1,900 officers, 2,200 NCOs, and 3,000 troops. A reduction in
the number of civilians directly employed in the SAF from 735 to 600
is also expected.
The main objective in the area of the development of personnel
management in 2001 and 2002 will be the development of the effective
personnel policy. The implementation of changes will be launched after
the adoption of amendments to the Defence Law in 2002.
Military Education
The SAF personnel is educated at military academies, the Reserve
Officer Training School and the Officer Training School, and through
self-education. Military education is carried out at the Military
Education Centre and in military educational establishments
abroad. Education abroad is organised through bilateral and
multilateral ties.
Language training is well established and particularly strong in
Slovenia. There is a rapidly increasing group who has achieved STANAG
3332 for English, with rather fewer for French and German. Slovenia is
itself making a serious contribution to the PfP programme in this
area. To this end, in 2000, NAC recognised Slovenian Military School
for Foreign Languages as a PfP Language Training Centre.
By the end of the first half of 2002 Slovenia will align its legal
framework to ensure consistency with the requirements of NATO security
policy, establish the role and responsibilities of the National
Security Authority in the NATO context and ensure consistency with
NATO minimum standards in the field of personnel security, security of
information, INFOSEC and physical security. To this end the Classified
Information Act which will regulate the national system of the
protection of classified information and will provide legal basis for
the efficient functioning and consistence with NATO standards and
system is in the procedure in the Parliament . The Act is to be
adopted by the end of 2001.
By the end of the first half of 2002 all the required amendments to
the national legislation will be adopted, enabling Slovenia to fulfill
legal obligations deriving from NATO membership. No amendments to the
Constitution are required.
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