Slovenia is now fully launched along the route that will take it towards its stated goal of full membership of the European Union. The relationship between Slovenia and the EU has evolved quickly and deepened dramatically since the EU first recognised the newly independent Republic of Slovenia in January 1992. After signing the EU Association Agreement in June 1996, the Europe Agreement entered into force on 1st February 1999. On 31st March 1998 the substantive negotiations for full membership of the European Union started. The Government of Slovenia's commitment is clear: to reinforce the country's new status as an independent state, a strong democracy and a functioning market economy, it has set itself a target to be ready to accede to the EU by 1st January 2003. In so doing, it wishes to play a full part in the historic processes of enlarging the EU and reuniting of a stable, peaceful and prosperous continent.