LJUBLJANA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia's Central Bank said on Wednesday that it expects the country's inflation rate to reach 9 percent in 2022, the highest in over 20 years.

       The rapid surge in energy prices is the main driver of inflation, the bank said in a statement, adding that the prolonged conflict in Ukraine could drive inflation even higher.

       In May, Slovenia's inflation reached 8.7 percent, up from 7.4 percent in April. The figure in May was the highest since August 2001.

       The bank said that inflation is expected to ease to 4.5 percent next year and to 2.3 percent in 2024.