Slovenia
In 1918 the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991.
Unlike Croatia or Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia's independence from Yugoslavia was relatively bloodless. The move was undoubtedly aided by Western European recognition of the Slovenes' aspirations and the low proportion of other ethnic groups in the country.
Even before the break-up of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia was more oriented to the west than the other former Yugoslav republics, with over 40% of its trade (both imports and exports) conducted with Germany and Italy. Since independence, Slovenia has moved even further in this direction. It has coped well with the economic reform process and has performed much more strongly than the other former Yugoslav states. It joined the EU and NATO in 2004, and will join the eurozone in 2007 -- the first former communist country to do so.
Since independence, Slovenia has enjoyed stable, if somewhat weak coalition government. Slovene society is built on consensus, which has converged on a social-democrat model. Political differences tend to have their roots in the roles that groups and individuals played during the years of communist rule and the struggle for independence.
Slovenia has an ongoing dispute with Croatia over sea and land borders dating back to the break-up of Yugoslavia.
There are currently no known specific threats to travelers or expatriate personnel in Slovenia. Civil unrest and disorder, and terrorism are essentially unknown in Slovenia.
There are occasional political demonstrations in city centers in Slovenia. Most often they occur in central Ljubljana in areas around Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), in front of the Parliament building, around other government facilities and at times near the US Embassy. These demonstrations are usually peaceful and generally are not anti-US in nature. However, there have been demonstrations that voiced anti-US sentiments. In at least one demonstration, eggs and paint balloons were thrown at the embassy.
The Slovene police are well trained. All recruits enter the national police academy for several weeks training and work with seasoned officers upon graduation from the academy. Police vehicles are modern and well equipped for all areas of the country -- coastal, mountain, river and other regions as well as routine city patrolling.
For emergencies, dial 112 (first aid and fire) or 113 (police).
