43 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the developments in the former Yugoslavia; if he has satisfied himself with the progress and supports in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/99]

The situation in the successor states to the former Yugoslavia differs considerably from country to country.

In the case of Slovenia which, with Croatia, was first to break away from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, considerable progress has been made. Slovenia is stable internally with a strong democratic basis. It is the wealthiest, most developed and industrialised of the former Yugoslav republics and has a per capita GDP level close to the lower EU levels. Slovenia is expected to become an EU member state with the completion of the first round of accession negotiations in 2003.