TRAVEL REPORT The Hon. Michael Atkinson MP Attorney-General ...

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in November 2002 . As a condition of its membership, Slovenia has pledgedan increase its annual defence budget to 2 per cent by 2008 . Domesticsupport for NATO membership has dropped slightly since September 11 andthe commencement of the 'war on terror', with a section of the populationquestioning its benefits . A process of ratification will again be necessary,including a referendum on NATO membership .Slovenia's relations with neighbouring Croatia remain complicated . Althoughsome initial progress was made in 2001, Slovenia's claim to free access to thehigh seas across the Bay of Piran, the settlement of the state border betweenthe two countries and the dispute surrounding the return of property, remainoutstanding . Relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now SiM)have markedly improved in recent years and trade relations with the SiM havestrengthened .Ecomonic OverviewSlovenia is coping well with the economic reform process launched afterindependence in 1991, reorienting its economy towards the west whilst alsorestoring the partial loss of its markets in former Yugoslavia . Overall, it hasperformed much more strongly than the other former Yugoslav states.Even before the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, the Slovenian economywas more oriented to the West than the other former Yugoslav Republics, withover 40 per cent of its trade conducted with Germany and Italy . Slovenia'seconomy is largely based on services, which contribute 60 per cent of G .D .P .Manufacturing constitutes the second largest sector at 26 .9 per cent, followedby construction at 5 .6 per cent, agriculture (plus forestry and fishing) as wellas electricity at 3 .1 per cent .Economic TrendsEstimated G.D .P . growth for 2002 is 3 per cent, which is equal with growth in2001 but down on 2000, when growth was measured at 4.6 per cent . Growthis expected to increase in 2003 and 2004 by 3 .5 per cent and 4 .1 per centrespectively, and should be driven by expansion in exports and investmentgrowth . Annual inflation is forecast to fall to 7 .1 per cent in 2002 and 4 .1 percent in 2003 . Unemployment was at 11 per cent during 2002 . G.D .P . pe rcapita income was US $10,005 .The current government has consistently reaffirmed its commitment toprepare Slovenia economically for accession to the European Union and toimplement necessary legislation . Over the next few years, Slovenia willcontinue to concentrate on these areas of reform, as set out by the EuropeanCommission : price liberalisation, the improvement of the businessenvironment, continued reform of the financial sector and capital markets, andthe restructuring of various uncompetitive export industries .Privatisation of state assets is one area where Slovenia has lagged behindother Central European countries . Some progress was made in 2002, with thepartial sale of Slovenia's largest bank, Bank Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB) .Further privatisation of the banking sector was put on hold that year, however,Travel Report, Hon. Michael Atkinson, MP. and Ms. Vini Ciccarello M.P ., August, 2004 8
when plans for the partial privatisation of the second leading bank in Slovenia,Nova Kreditna Banka Maribor (NKBM), were abandoned . The Governmentcited concerns about the impact of privatisation on the stability of the bankingsystem .Travel Report, Hon . Michael Atkinson, MP . and Ms. Vini Ciccarello M.P., August, 2004
Page 1 and 2: SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICE- 9 FEB 2005
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTIONThe Hon . Michael Atkin
Page 5 and 6: SLOVENIAGeneral backgroundSlovenia
Page 7: President, Milan Kucan, who was Pre
Page 11 and 12: founded a Slovenian language school
Page 13 and 14: Monday, 2nd August, 2004Mr Samuel Z
Page 15 and 16: cultural exhibitions play a signifi
Page 17 and 18: The Attorney-General reported on on
Page 19 and 20: acquis communautaire and those form
Page 21 and 22: Immigration is not a contentious po
Page 23 and 24: Monday, 2nd August, 2004Mr Igor Ome
Page 25 and 26: The State has adopted a number of s
Page 27 and 28: We learnt that there are 193 Munici
Page 29 and 30: CROATIAGeneral backgroundCroatia ex
Page 31 and 32: judicial system and progress human
Page 33 and 34: Economic OverviewBefore independenc
Page 35 and 36: CROATIANS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIADemogra
Page 37 and 38: CROATIA PROGRAMWednesday 4th August
Page 39 and 40: more common, the Government has not
Page 41 and 42: About 90 per cent of all the financ
Page 43 and 44: 2003 President of the Democratic Ce
Page 45 and 46: If the Croatian system is not up to
Page 47 and 48: " Centre for Communication" Forensi
Page 49 and 50: There is great co-operation in figh
Page 51 and 52: Wednesday 4th August, 2004.Mr Domag
Page 53 and 54: Wednesday 4th August, 2004 .Mr Mila
Page 55 and 56: Thursday 5th August, 2004 .Mr Valer
Page 57 and 58: Mr Florean said that the defence ba
Page 59 and 60:
So far, there have been no proceedi
Page 61 and 62:
officers and a further 12 Croatian
Page 63 and 64:
1993 - 2001 Member of H .D .Z . Cou
Page 65 and 66:
eal opportunity to achieve a synerg
Page 67 and 68:
BiH is moving slowly towards becomi
Page 69 and 70:
oversees the R .S .s first multi-et
Page 71 and 72:
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PROGRAMTuesday,
Page 73 and 74:
Karadjic and Mladic .tried for thei
Page 75 and 76:
With support and help, the Dayton A
Page 77 and 78:
Tuesday, 9 August, 2004Dr Sano Vlas
Page 79 and 80:
Wednesday, 11 August, 2004The party
Page 81 and 82:
create better conditions .suggestio
Page 83 and 84:
within Administration . The demogra
Page 85 and 86:
Australia formally recognised the s
Page 87 and 88:
Foreign Affairs and Defence have De
Page 89 and 90:
anking sector; adoption of new laws
Page 91 and 92:
THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AUST
Page 93 and 94:
The main problem facing the country
Page 95 and 96:
funding constraints they are primar
Page 97 and 98:
His Holiness has published Devich,
Page 99 and 100:
Tuesday, 17 August, 2004Mr Vojislav
Page 101 and 102:
Ms Radmila HrustanovicBelgrade Mayo
Page 103 and 104:
The Mayor felt that everyone had to
Page 105 and 106:
they have free time until 5 .00 p.m
Page 107 and 108:
they have to accept that competitio
Page 109 and 110:
international law and specifically,
Page 111 and 112:
Thursday, 19 August, 2004Mr Aleksan
Page 113 and 114:
Summary of report and recommendatio
Page 115 and 116:
MEDIA - AustraliaSlovenia Programme
Page 117 and 118:
Croatian Program, 5EBI FMAtkinson's
Page 119 and 120:
Bosnian Program, 5EB1 FMAtkinson's
Page 121 and 122:
Malaysian Government and is now ope
Page 123 and 124:
Serbian Program, 5EB1 FMMichael Atk
Page 125 and 126:
Milosh water originates from . . .
Page 127 and 128:
Media - BiHDelegation from South Au
Page 129 and 130:
Wednesday, 11 .8 .2004 Sarajevo Mor
Page 131 and 132:
LIBERATION (OSLOBODENJE) Wednesday,
Page 133 and 134:
Friday, 13 .August, 2004 .BANJA LUK
Page 135 and 136:
Sarajevo, 10.8.2004 .Public announc
Page 137 and 138:
Serbia and Montenegro were still de
Page 139 and 140:
AppendixDocuments ObtainedInformati
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TRAVEL REPORT The Hon. Michael Atkinson MP Attorney-General ...

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