Türk is a specialist in international law. In 1983-1992, he was the Head of the Institute of the International Law and International Relations of the University of Ljubljana. After the announcement of the independence of Slovenia, he played an important role in its diplomatic activities. In July and August of 1991, Türk unofficially represented so far unrecognized Slovenia in Geneva. He was a member of the delegation of Slovenia at the International Conference on solving the problem of former Yugoslavia (September 1991 through August 1992). In 1992-2000, Türk was the first permanent representative of Slovenia at the UNO, in 2000-2005 — an assistant of Kofi Annan on political issues. In 2005, he returned to Slovenia and resumed his work at the University of Ljubljana.

December 23, 2007 through December 22, 2012, he was the President of the Republic of Slovenia.

Türk’s scientific interests cover protection of human rights, rights of minorities, use of force by states, etc. He is the author of monographs: “Principles of Non-Intervention in International Relations and International Law” (Ljubljana, 1984), “Foundations of International Law” (Moscow, 2012), and more than 100 scientific articles. He is the author of the Chapter on human rights of the Constitution of Slovenia (adopted in 1991).

Titles

Doctor Honoris Causa of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (2012).

Awards

Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2011) and others.