1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-554 FUpdated November 30, 1999Slovenia: Country Background Report(name redacted)Specialist in International RelationsForeign Affairs and National Defense DivisionSummarySlovenia seeks membersh
2、ip in the European Union and NATO and is considered tobe among the top candidates currently aspiring to join each organization. Independentfrom the former Yugoslavia since 1991, Slovenia has focused on consolidating itstransition to a democratic market economy and integrating into western institutio
3、ns. Bymost assessments, Slovenia has been successful in these efforts, especially in comparisonwith the conflict-ridden experience of the other former Yugoslav republics. This reportprovides background information on Slovenia, and may be updated as events warrant.BackgroundThe area that is now Slove
4、nia was originally settled by Slavs in the 6th century. Bythe 9th century, Slovenia was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire where itremained until it became a member of the Austrian Hapsburg Empire in the 14th century.When the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed at the end of World War I, Slovenia