Public Conceptions and Images of the European Union: The Case of Slovenia

The intention of this article is to show the way the conceptions and perceptions of (Western) Europe and the European Union (EU) are constructed and articulated by general public opinion as well as by political parties and intellectual circles in Slovenia as a candidate country for the accession into the EU. It is also discussed how the images concerning reference countries and the future position in the integration process are connected with the process of formation of national selfunderstanding and identity. Some elements of so-called Euro-realism which is the common denominator of prevailing European orientation are outlined and explained.