Slovania

// Group E: ////Slovenia// Good Websites for info: [] [] [] __**Put in own words**__: The independence of Slovenia came about as a result of the rise of nationalism among the Southern Slav nations and the dissolution of [|Yugoslavia] resulting from it. Crisis emerged in Yugoslavia with the weakening of communism in Eastern Europe towards the end of the [|Cold War] in the late [|1980s]. In Yugoslavia, the federal Communist Party, officially called Alliance or [|League of Communists], was losing its ideological dominance.


 * Ecomomy:**Slovenia, which on 1 January 2007 became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro, is a model of economic success and stability for the region. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere.