Slovenia closes embassy in Dublin, consulate in New York

Slovenia on Wednesday began closing its embassy in Dublin, Ireland, and its general consulate in New York, which are part of its austerity policy to overcome the country's challenging financial difficulties. Prior to the latest actions, Slovenia has closed its embassies in Lisbon, Stockholm and Helsinki, as well as its consulate in Dusseldorf, Germany since mid-September. More closures of Slovenian diplomatic missions may be necessary in the future, Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec told a session of the parliamentary foreign policy and EU affairs committees. The successive closure of diplomatic and consular representations would save Slovenia 2.5 million euros (3.25 million U.S. dollars) in overhead costs and salaries, Erjavec said, noting that his ministry was forced to close embassies because of difficult financial situation in the country. However, he added that he would make use of this opportunity to make reforms in the diplomatic network, saying that Slovenia will start the procedures for opening a diplomatic representation in the Persian Gulf and one in central Africa.