Policy Profile Slovenia
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Policy Profile Slovenia
Slovenia is a member state of both the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe. As an EU member since 2004, Slovenia actively participates in EU policies and contributes to shaping the future of Europe.
Slovenia plays a significant role within the European Union, engaging in various EU initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, social cohesion, and regional stability.
The European Commission and European Parliament have Representation and Liaison Offices respectively in Ljubljana. The Slovenian Government maintains a Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels.
In Slovenia, the policy-making framework is centred around key institutions such as the Državni zbor (Parliament), the Office of the President, and the Government led by the Prime Minister. These bodies play crucial roles in developing and implementing national policies, including cultural policies that reflect Slovenia’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting diversity.
The primary public body responsible for regulating the cultural heritage sector is the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia (Ministrstvo za kulturo Republike Slovenije). It drafts and enforces laws and regulations related to cultural heritage, including the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, which provides the legal framework for heritage conservation in Slovenia.
While the Ministry of Culture is the regulatory body, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia (Zavod za varstvo kulturne dediščine Slovenije) is the key operational agency responsible for the practical aspects of cultural heritage protection. It conducts research, it funds conservation and restoration projects and provides expert guidance on heritage matters ensuring compliance with heritage preservation laws.
While Slovenia is comprised of 12 statistical regions, these are primarily used for administrative and statistical purposes rather than being political entities with autonomous powers. Nonetheless, Slovenia has a decentralised system for managing its cultural heritage, with responsibilities shared across various national, regional, and local institutions. The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia maintains regional offices across the country. These regional offices, known as “regional units” or “conservation offices,” are responsible for managing and protecting cultural heritage in their respective areas.
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* = This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
