Pograjc is expected to assume the position, the most senior military post Slovenia has ever had in the alliance, in October. Two other countries vied for the position, Austria and Italy, but they withdrew.

Pograjc is Slovenia's second high-ranking representative in Kosovo, after former Foreign Minister Samuel Žbogar was named in February the EU's special representative and head of the EU office in Kosovo.

Slovenia currently has about 300 soldiers in Kosovo, according to information on NATO's website. NATO's total forces in Kosovo number about 5,800 troops, commanded by Major General Erhard Drews from Germany.

Hojs confirmed the appointment in Sarajevo, the first stop on his tour of Slovenian troops serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.

The defence minister, who is accompanied by Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier Dobran Božič and members of the parliamentary Defence Committee, was acquinted with the security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, assessing it "relatively good".

While saying that Bosnia-Herzegovina has made progress towards NATO membership, he expressed doubt that the country will be ready for a membership invitation when the alliance holds its summit in Chicago in May.

Hojs and the Slovenian delegation will travel on to Prishtina today.