Commission Report 2002 (Slovakia)

• Progress since the last Regular Report
• Overall assessment
• Conclusion

Chapter 27: Common foreign and security policy

Progress since the last Regular Report

Since the last Regular Report Slovakia has continued to align its foreign policy with that of the European Union and has participated constructively in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The regular political dialogue established by the Association Agreement with Slovakia is proceeding smoothly and Slovakia continues to orient its foreign and security policy towards the Union. It continues to participate actively in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including meetings at the level of Political Directors, European Correspondents and Working Groups.

Slovakia has continued to show a keen interest in the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) as part of the CFSP and has actively participated in exchanges in this context with the EU and in EU + 15 format (i.e. non-EU European NATO members and candidates for accession to the EU).

The Parliament adopted a Military Strategy in October 2001, complementing the Security and Defence Strategy adopted last year. The strategy aims at modernising the current structure of the armed forces. At the end of last year and beginning of this year, Slovakia adopted new legislation in this field, based on the requirements for EU membership. It also adopted a new law on import and export control including arms and dual use goods. Slovakia has continued to align itself regularly with EU statements and declarations, common positions, joint actions and other CFSP instruments, including negative measures. In international organisations, Slovakia has co-ordinated its actions with EU common positions, in line with last year's practice. Slovakia has maintained a good track record as regards implementing international sanctions and restrictive measures. Slovakia has confirmed its willingness to adopt the entire CFSP acquis upon accession and conform itself to the commitments resulting from it.

Slovakia has ratified the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court. It has passed new anti-terrorism legislation including measures against the financing of terrorism. It has aligned with the EU Plan of Action of September 2001 and with the relevant common positions on combating terrorism, and has acceded to the relevant international conventions relating to terrorism.

Slovakia has confirmed its preparedness to contribute both to EU Rapid Intervention Force missions and to EU civilian instruments for crisis management. It participated in the Capabilities Improvement Conference in November 2001 and in the EU +15 Defence Ministers' meeting in May 2002. It has shown an active interest in participating in the forthcoming EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In October 2001, the Slovak Parliament adopted an amendment to the Police Act, enabling the participation of Slovak police forces in ESDP crisis management operations. Together with Poland and the Czech Republic it is building up a formation for military ESDP missions.

Slovakia has made considerable efforts to support international peacekeeping missions. It has participated in SFOR and KFOR, and in a series of UN, OSCE and EU peacekeeping and observer operations.

Co-Operation within the framework of the Visegrad group has continued.

Overall assessment

Slovakia's relations with its neighbours are generally good. Slovakia has taken a proactive role in promoting enhanced bilateral co-operation and regional integration, especially within the framework of the Visegrad group.

Slovakia has subscribed to the content and principles contained in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, but more efforts are necessary to ensure implementation of its criteria.

Concerning the administrative capacity to implement the provisions relating to the CFSP, Slovakia has a wel-staffed and functioning Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry has a Political Director and a European Correspondent and is connected to the Associated Correspondents' Network information system through which the EU communicates within the CSFP with the associated partners. This system has been operational since its establishment in 2000.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that Slovakia was well placed to effectively fulfil its obligations in this field. It stated that Slovakia was an active participant in the dialogue arrangements provided for and when invited supported EU actions within that framework.

Since the Opinion, Slovakia has made steady progress in aligning with the CFSP acquis, and its alignment is, overall, well advanced and in general satisfactory at this stage.

Negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed. Slovakia has not requested any transitional arrangements in this area. Slovakia is in general meeting the commitments it made in the accession negotiations in this domain.

In order to complete preparations for membership, Slovakia's efforts now need to focus on ensuring that its foreign policy orientation remains in line with the Union's developing foreign and security policy, adopting the legislation on economic sanctions and finalising the development of the necessary administrative structures.

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