Slovenia and EU Accession - National Identity

Although Slovenia will have only existed as an independent country for a little less than thirteen years before it joins the European Union, its history dates back to well before this period of sovereignty. Until 1918, it was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Holy Roman Empire. At this point Slovenia, along with Serbia and Croatia, then formed Yugoslavia, which after the Second World War became a Communistic state that included the other Balkan countries.¹ Only on June 25, 1991 did Slovenia declared itself independent of Yugoslavia. An important point to realize, however, is that throughout the years before independence, Slovenia developed a deep-rooted sense of culture and identity that is distinct from both Austria and the former Yugoslavia. This uniqueness is what remains in the people of Slovenia today. How, if at all, will this sense of identity change when the country becomes a member of the EU? Further, does the EU have measures in place to make sure that individual country’s identities are not lost to the broader European feeling of oneness?

To properly understand the first question, one must initially examine the general problem of protecting identity in a world where mobility and migration are becoming increasingly easier. The countries of Europe are becoming more and more international, regardless of whether they are in the European Union or not. For example, although Slovenia is considered fairly homogeneous in EU standards, a surprising 12% of its population is comprised of immigrants.² Along with immigration comes an influx of different cultures and customs. Therefore, the concern of losing individuality has and will surface in countries, regardless of EU membership.

For Slovenia, the struggle for identity in the eyes of the world has also been a product of its young age and small size. Many people, in fact, have a hard time describing where the country is. In this respect, however, the European Union will be a stepping stone for increased attention from the European powers and the rest of the world. Slovenia, which will be the EU’s closest tie to the Balkan countries, will take on the important role of liaison to that region. This position is expected to bolster, rather than decrease, Slovenia’s sense of identity.

One of the biggest concerns facing the European Union is the fear of a loss of individual countries’ uniqueness. The second question addresses this problem and more specifically what measures the European Union has taken to ensure that this will not happen. To begin with, each Member State’s language automatically becomes an official language of the EU. Although the cost of translation is significantly higher with each additional official language, this rule makes the statement that the Union does not want to take away such an important cultural aspect from its Member States. As a small country, Slovenia’s apprehensions about the loss of identity are even greater than those of many of the larger countries; however, the EU has taken this problem into account as well. Each new member state, regardless of size, will be treated as an equal member of the Union from the beginning. Therefore, Slovenia will not have to give up more authority because of its size. This helps in terms of identity because Slovenia will be able to coexist with the other members instead of relinquishing power and individuality to them.

Identity issues are very prevalent in discussions about the European Union. However, upon closer inspection, the Union actually promotes the differences in its Member States rather than suppressing them. With respect to Slovenia, the EU will take the same approach as it has for every other country – namely that Slovenia will be able to retain its customs, culture and language. In May of 2004, the country’s citizens will simultaneously truly be able to call themselves members of the European community and Slovenians.

Download in Microsoft Word format.