In this edition of Europe Now, we take you to Slovenia, a country that’s been at the crossroads of European empires and power struggles for centuries.This small, mountainous and heavily-forested country is almost completely landlocked. Today, it’s home to just over two million people, many of which love nature and have a soft spot for their country’s prized honey bees.
Its lands have been ruled and fought over by everyone from the Romans to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Austro-Hungarians, during the First and Second World Wars, and beyond.
As a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after World War Two, Slovenia became the first former Yugoslav nation to declare independence in 1991, largely escaping the bloodbath that ensued in its former Yugoslav neighbours.
Today, Slovenia is a member of the European Union, the Euro currency, and NATO.
Our team visits Slovenia as the country marks 30 years of independence – and is halfway through its stint holding the rotating European Council Presidency.
In the programme, we meet decision makers from the country’s governing and opposition political parties.
Our reporters dig deeper into the big issues that make Slovenia tick today: from concerns about media and judicial freedom under controversial Prime Minister Janez Janša, to its relationships with its EU and Balkan neighbours. We also find out why Slovenia is touted as "the" green tourism destination of Europe.
Show presented by Catherine Nicholson, produced by Johan Bodin, filmed on location by Olivier Molinari with Luke Brown.
In partnership with the European Union.
The action was co-financed by the European Union in the framework of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
