Situated in southern Central Europe, Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and southeast, and Hungary to the northeast. The north of the country is dominated by the Alps, while in the southwest, the Karst Plateau is a region filled with limestone caves and gorges. Slovenia has a coastline of 46.6 km by the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia.
The most important sectors of Slovenia’s economy in 2014 were industry (27.1 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (20.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (17.0 %)
Slovenia’s main export and import partners are Germany, Italy and Austria.
Capital: Ljubljana
Geographical size: 20 273 km2
Population: 2 061 085 (2014)
Population as % of total EU population: 0.4 % (2014)
GDP: € 37.246 billion (2014)
Official EU language(s): Slovenian
Political system: parliamentary republic
EU member country since: 1 May 2004
Seats in the European Parliament: 8
Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 2007
Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 21 December 2007.
Presidency of the Council: Slovenia has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2008.
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Slovenia in the EU
European Parliament
There are 8 members of the European Parliament from Slovenia. Find out who these MEPsare.
European Parliament office in Slovenia 
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Slovenian government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Slovenian presidencies:
Jan-Jun 2008
More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.
European Commission
The Commissioner nominated by Slovenia to the European Commission is Violeta Bulc, who is responsible for Transport.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
European Economic & Social Committee
Slovenia has 7 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
Committee of the Regions
Slovenia has 7 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Permanent representation to the EU
Slovenia also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representationin Brussels. As Slovenia's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.
Budgets and Funding
How much does Slovenia contribute and receive?
Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.
Breakdown of Slovenia’s finances with the EU in 2014:
- Total EU spending in Slovenia – € 1.142 billion
- Total EU spending as % of Slovenian GNI – 3.12 %
- Total Slovenian contribution to the EU budget – € 0.327 billion
- Slovenian contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.89 %
More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:
EU-funded projects in Slovenia
The money paid into the EU budget by Slovenia helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.
Find out more about how Slovenia benefits from EU funding.
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