MPs were addressed before the vote by Foreign Minister Samuel Žbogar, who said that Slovenia welcomed South Sudan's independence. He added that the new country faced a number of open issues related to citizenship, the border and oil.

Slovenia offered South Sudan help in transitional processes, with Zbogar saying that the country's representatives had expressed interest in the experience Slovenia got when it became independent 20 years ago.

Zbogar moreover announced Slovenia will back South Sudan's membership in the UN, which is expected to be put to a vote on 14 July.

Slovenian parties were united in the view that Slovenia's support to South Sudan's independence was a "duty" and "self-evident". Most of them pointed out that South Sudan's independence comes almost exactly 20 years after Slovenia's and that the will of almost 99% of the country's people needs to be backed.

MPs however also expressed concern over the instability in the northern part of South Sudan, especial the threat of genocide over the Nuba people in the region. They called for peaceful and constructive solutions.

Some reservations were voiced by National Party (SNS) MP Bogdan Barovic, who argued that Slovenia was using double standards when it came to recognising new countries. He pointed to the fast recognition of Kosovo - allegedly because of the position of certain other countries - and the failure to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The chair of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee Janja Klasinc disagreed, saying Slovenia was not supporting South Sudan because of others.

Franco Juri of Zares meanwhile highlighted Slovenia's past efforts in Sudan, especially the peace initiatives organised by the late President Janez Drnovsek and activist Tomo Kriznar.

Juri moreover expressed hope that Slovenia would remain consistent in its recognition of new countries also during the vote on recognising the Palestinian state, which is expected at the UN General Assembly in September.

Earlier today the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee also unanimously confirmed the government decree on the recognition of South Sudan as an independent country, which the cabinet adopted on Monday, and called for an end to the conflicts in the area.

South Sudan declared independence after five decades of conflicts with the north. Subsequently, Sudan, Africa's biggest country, split into two countries. Relations between them remain tense.

The people of South Sudan voted for independence at a referendum held between 9 and 15 January in line with a 2005 peace treaty.

The new member of the international community faces numerous challenges though, including armed conflicts within its borders, in which the UN says over 2,300 people were killed this year, worrying social indicators and disagreements with Sudan on the distribution of natural resources.