CONCLUSION The Defence White Paper of the Republic of Slovenia deals with the fundamental challenges which the defence system of the Republic of Slovenia faces, and defines measures to improve its defence capacity. The measures to develop the defence system are, as a matter of priority, aimed at ensuring the stable and sufficiently ambitious funding of the defence system; reaching the necessary number of personnel in the Slovenian Armed Forces; completing its professionalization; improving the members’ status; carrying out modernization with a view to building defence capacity; modernizing the key infrastructure for the operation and development of the Slovenian Armed Forces; and strengthening the connection of the defence system with the wider society, and thus achieving better recognition of national defence within society. The defence system of the Republic of Slovenia will pursue an intermediate defence spending target of 1.5% of GDP by 2024 within broad fiscal frameworks, and a gradual long-term approximation to the defence spending target of 2% of GDP. Increased investment in defence must be sufficiently ambitious and predictable, and at the same time balanced between financial resources to implement urgent personnel measures, resources to carry out priority modernization projects, and resources to ensure the preparedness and operation of the defence system in Slovenia and abroad. The recommendations in the Defence White Paper of the Republic of Slovenia will be the basis of the preparation of new normative, development guidance and planning documents, such as the defence strategy, the Resolution on the General Long-Term Development and Equipping Programme of the Slovenian Armed Forces, and medium-term defence programmes, which will define, on the basis of realistic assumptions, how intermediate targets in the development of the defence system capabilities will be achieved in reaching the desired state by 2035. Monitoring the successful achievement of targets related to recruiting more personnel in the Slovenian Armed Forces, the changes to the system, the development and modernization of defence capabilities, and, consequently, strengthening the defence capacity of the Republic of Slovenia, will be a continual process which will be based on clearly defined progress indicators. Building defence capabilities will be a gradual and long-term process requiring constant political support, stable long-term funding and a relevant normative framework. The effects of the measures to strengthen the defence capacity of the Republic of Slovenia and, particularly, to improve the capabilities and readiness of the Slovenian Armed Forces, will be visible in the middle of the long-term period. Through an effective, modern, and responsive defence system, the Republic of Slovenia will ensure security to its citizens as a condition for the functioning of other social subsystems, and contribute to a quality living environment for the development and perspective of all generations. 40