The Government Office for European Affairs (GOEA) was founded in December 1997, taking over the basic tasks and facilities of the former Office for European Affairs, which had operated previously within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to Slovenia joining the EU, this office was responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring Slovenia's preparation for EU membership. Today the Government Office for European Affairs (GOEA) is the central body of Slovenia's Government engaged in co-ordination of European affairs. Its key objective is to effectively promote Slovene interests in the European Union. It is also instrumental in Slovenia's endeavours to participate in policymaking within EU institutions. Since Slovenia's accession to the EU, the Office has been carrying out numerous tasks regarding the co-ordination of European affairs. These include co-ordination of Slovene participation as an EU Member State and its involvement in the work of EU institutions and bodies. It also supervises the preparation of materials on European affairs (other than Common Foreign and Security Policy) and participates in parliamentary debate on such matters. It co-ordinates the implementation of applicable agreements with the EU and the participation of Slovenia as regards technical assistance provided by the EU to third countries. The Office also co-operates with line ministries and other Government offices, Slovene representative bodies abroad, the working bodies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and EU institutions and bodies.

Among the activities of GOEA is the encouragement of co-operation with non-governmental organisations involved in civil society activities. GOEA was co-funder and mediator in the establishment of the Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGOs (CNVOS) with the aim of involving Slovene NGOs in the activities of umbrella organisations that have consultative status to the institutions of the European Union. In addition, GOEA has co-operated with the United Nations Development Programme. A detailed description of the historical background to the development of NGOs in Slovenia and co-operation between GOEA and the NGOs is available in English at the GOEA website.

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