(ANSA) - LJUBLJANA - Low levels of trust in public diplomacy as a means to solve open questions, favorable approach to the reintroduction of conscription, which was suspended in 2003, steady opposition to increase public expenditure for defense to 2% of GDP. These are some of the outcomes of an opinion poll conducted by Delo, the most reputable Slovenian daily, which surveyed people on several issues ranging from the role of military forces in Slovenia and NATO to that of diplomacy to find a solution for the pending question of the Slovenian minority in Austria, a widely-debated topic that dominates the political agenda these days and catches the headlines. While the North-Atlantic organization is perceived favorably among the majority of respondents, who also accept its current role and mission, more than 60% are against increasing public expenditure for defense reasons, especially among women and unemployed people, and are instead in favor of a common European defense force. Besides, it is widespread the perception that a better, more efficient organization of the military forces will invariably increase the safety and control of the whole territory, which is now a transit area of the migrants' route.

For this reason, 57% of people interviewed would welcome the reintroduction of the obligatory military service. However, the most heated debate is related to the destiny of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia, Austria, with more than 50% feeling outraged by the decision to exclude Slovenian as one of the two regional official languages. However, only one third of respondents are confident that Erjavec and his diplomatic efforts will succeed in preserving the bilingual status of Carinthia. (ANSA).