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Since Slovenia declared independence in 1991, its Governments have underscored their commitment to improving cooperation with neighbouring countries and actively contributing to international efforts aimed at bringing stability to Southeast Europe. Resource limitations have nevertheless been a problem hindering the efficiency of the Slovenian diplomacy. In the 1990s, foreign relations, especially with Italy, Austria and Croatia, triggered internal political controversies. In the last eight years, however, a wide consensus has been reached among the vast majority of Slovenian political parties to jointly work in the improvement of the country's diplomatic infrastructure and to avoid politicizing the foreign relations by turning them into an issue of internal political debates.
Slovenia's bilateral relations with its neighbors are generally good and cooperative. However, a few unresolved disputes with Croatia remain. They are related mostly to the succession of the former Yugoslavia, including demarcation of their common border. In addition, unlike the other successor states of the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia did not normalize relations with the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (Serbia and Montenegro) until after the passing from power of Slobodan Milošević; although the Slovenes did open a representative office in Podgorica to work with Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović's government.
Succession issues, particularly concerning liabilities and assets of the former Yugoslavia, remain a key factor in Slovenia's relations in the region. On the whole, no conflicts mar relations with neighbors, which are on a sound footing. Numerous cooperative projects are either underway or envisioned, and bilateral and multilateral partnerships are deepening. Differences, many of which stem from Yugoslavia's time, have been handled responsibly and are being resolved.
List of countries which Slovenia maintains diplomatic relations with: [1]
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Latvia | 3 September 1991 |
2 | Lithuania | 22 November 1991 |
3 | Estonia | 11 December 1991 |
4 | Austria | 15 January 1992 |
5 | Germany | 15 January 1992 |
6 | Hungary | 16 January 1992 |
7 | Italy | 17 January 1992 |
8 | United Kingdom | 15 January 1992 |
9 | Denmark | 20 January 1992 |
10 | Netherlands | 24 January 1992 |
11 | San Marino | 28 January 1992 |
12 | Sweden | 29 January 1992 |
13 | Switzerland | 31 January 1992 |
14 | Liechtenstein | 31 January 1992 |
15 | Portugal | 3 February 1992 |
16 | Australia | 5 February 1992 |
17 | Czech Republic | 5 February 1992 |
18 | Croatia | 5 February 1992 |
— | Holy See | 8 February 1992 |
19 | Finland | 17 February 1992 |
20 | Norway | 18 February 1992 |
21 | Iceland | 24 February 1992 |
22 | Paraguay | 25 February 1992 |
23 | Belgium | 5 March 1992 |
24 | Iran | 9 March 1992 |
25 | Albania | 10 March 1992 |
26 | Ukraine | 10 March 1992 |
27 | Luxembourg | 11 March 1992 |
28 | North Macedonia | 17 March 1992 [2] |
29 | Bolivia | 18 March 1992 |
30 | New Zealand | 20 March 1992 |
31 | Spain | 25 March 1992 |
32 | Poland | 10 April 1992 |
33 | Argentina | 13 April 1992 |
34 | Nicaragua | 14 April 1992 |
35 | Chile | 15 April 1992 |
36 | France | 23 April 1992 |
37 | Israel | 28 April 1992 |
38 | Egypt | 30 April 1992 |
39 | Malaysia | 4 May 1992 |
40 | Pakistan | 11 May 1992 |
41 | China | 12 May 1992 |
42 | India | 18 May 1992 |
43 | Russia | 25 May 1992 |
44 | Morocco | 29 May 1992 |
45 | Malta | 29 June 1992 |
46 | Mexico | 10 July 1992 |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 15 July 1992 |
47 | Greece | 21 July 1992 |
48 | Belarus | 23 July 1992 |
49 | United States | 11 August 1992 |
50 | Cape Verde | 17 August 1992 |
51 | Bulgaria | 18 August 1992 |
52 | Turkey | 26 August 1992 |
53 | Romania | 28 August 1992 |
54 | Singapore | 7 September 1992 |
55 | North Korea | 8 September 1992 |
56 | Peru | 9 September 1992 |
57 | Thailand | 9 September 1992 |
58 | Cuba | 22 September 1992 |
59 | Algeria | 12 October 1992 |
60 | Indonesia | 12 October 1992 |
61 | Japan | 12 October 1992 |
62 | United Arab Emirates | 15 October 1992 |
63 | Kazakhstan | 20 October 1992 |
64 | Seychelles | 21 October 1992 |
65 | South Africa | 30 October 1992 |
66 | Ethiopia | 6 November 1992 |
67 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 16 November 1992 |
68 | South Korea | 18 November 1992 |
69 | Belize | 19 November 1992 |
70 | Mali | 3 December 1992 |
71 | Cyprus | 10 December 1992 |
72 | Qatar | 15 December 1992 |
73 | Nigeria | 19 December 1992 |
74 | Brazil | 21 December 1992 |
75 | Venezuela | 28 December 1992 |
76 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 |
77 | Canada | 7 January 1993 |
78 | Georgia | 18 January 1993 |
79 | Philippines | 3 February 1993 |
80 | Ghana | 15 February 1993 |
81 | Mongolia | 18 February 1993 |
82 | Marshall Islands | 19 March 1993 |
83 | Liberia | 30 March 1993 |
84 | Uruguay | 26 April 1993 |
85 | Tunisia | 20 May 1993 |
86 | Tanzania | 4 June 1993 |
87 | Antigua and Barbuda | 15 June 1993 |
88 | Dominica | 9 July 1993 |
89 | Lebanon | 29 July 1993 |
90 | Jordan | 22 October 1993 |
91 | Moldova | 27 October 1993 |
92 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 11 November 1993 |
93 | Turkmenistan | 11 November 1993 |
94 | Guatemala | 25 November 1993 |
95 | Kyrgyzstan | 19 January 1994 |
96 | Sudan | 25 January 1994 |
97 | Namibia | 24 March 1994 |
98 | Ivory Coast | 12 May 1994 |
99 | Vietnam | 7 June 1994 |
100 | Armenia | 12 July 1994 |
101 | Colombia | 19 July 1994 |
102 | Kuwait | 5 October 1994 |
103 | Uzbekistan | 16 January 1995 |
104 | Zambia | 15 February 1995 |
105 | Burkina Faso | 28 March 1995 |
106 | Panama | 10 May 1995 |
107 | Saudi Arabia | 7 June 1995 |
108 | Andorra | 13 July 1995 |
109 | Yemen | 12 October 1995 |
110 | Costa Rica | 19 October 1995 |
111 | Tonga | 7 December 1995 |
112 | Oman | 13 December 1995 |
113 | Ireland | 25 January 1996 |
114 | Azerbaijan | 20 February 1996 |
115 | Bahrain | 28 February 1996 |
116 | Maldives | 4 March 1996 |
117 | Bangladesh | 20 March 1996 |
118 | Honduras | 25 March 1996 |
119 | Laos | 28 March 1996 |
120 | Eritrea | 4 April 1996 |
121 | Mauritania | 4 June 1996 |
122 | Cambodia | 16 July 1996 |
123 | Jamaica | 23 July 1996 |
124 | Sri Lanka | 25 July 1996 |
125 | Fiji | 29 November 1996 |
126 | Gabon | 11 December 1996 |
127 | Guinea | 11 December 1996 |
128 | Mozambique | 19 December 1996 |
129 | Ecuador | 18 April 1997 |
130 | Brunei | 28 April 1997 |
131 | Trinidad and Tobago | 9 May 1997 |
132 | Senegal | 19 May 1997 |
133 | Mauritius | 30 May 1997 |
134 | Guinea-Bissau | 24 July 1997 |
135 | Suriname | 22 August 1997 |
136 | Syria | 25 August 1997 |
137 | El Salvador | 10 November 1997 |
138 | Samoa | 25 November 1997 |
139 | Nepal | 2 December 1997 |
140 | Togo | 31 July 1998 |
141 | Cameroon | 29 September 1998 |
142 | Haiti | 30 March 1999 |
143 | Serbia | 9 December 2000 |
144 | Tajikistan | 4 April 2002 |
145 | Dominican Republic | 11 March 2003 |
146 | East Timor | 3 April 2003 |
147 | Angola | 20 January 2004 |
148 | Bahamas | 10 September 2004 |
149 | Afghanistan | 20 September 2004 |
150 | Kenya | 3 November 2004 |
151 | Benin | 1 December 2004 |
152 | Iraq | 29 April 2005 |
153 | Botswana | 20 July 2005 |
154 | Gambia | 25 August 2005 |
155 | Saint Lucia | 29 August 2005 |
156 | Montenegro | 21 June 2006 |
157 | Niger | 22 June 2006 |
158 | Uganda | 31 August 2006 |
159 | Madagascar | 5 October 2006 |
160 | Monaco | 28 November 2006 |
161 | Rwanda | 8 December 2006 |
162 | Djibouti | 14 December 2006 |
163 | Myanmar | 18 December 2006 |
164 | Republic of the Congo | 19 April 2007 |
165 | Guyana | 19 April 2007 |
166 | Burundi | 27 July 2007 |
167 | Libya | 19 September 2007 |
168 | Barbados | 18 December 2007 |
— | Kosovo | 7 April 2008 |
169 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 5 June 2009 |
170 | Tuvalu | 12 June 2009 |
171 | Papua New Guinea | 9 February 2010 |
172 | Equatorial Guinea | 26 May 2010 |
173 | Solomon Islands | 18 November 2010 |
174 | Palau | 18 February 2011 |
175 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 25 February 2011 |
176 | Nauru | 11 March 2011 |
177 | Federated States of Micronesia | 24 March 2011 |
178 | Comoros | 27 April 2011 |
179 | Grenada | 4 May 2011 |
180 | Malawi | 21 July 2011 |
181 | South Sudan | 23 September 2011 |
182 | Sierra Leone | 13 October 2011 |
183 | Bhutan | 13 September 2012 |
184 | Somalia | 3 April 2014 |
185 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 10 April 2014 |
186 | Vanuatu | 17 June 2015 |
187 | Zimbabwe | 22 July 2016 [3] |
188 | Central African Republic | 13 February 2017 [4] |
189 | Kiribati | 8 June 2021 [3] |
— | State of Palestine | 5 June 2024 [5] |
Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
European Union | See 2004 enlargement of the European Union Slovenia joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004. | |
NATO | Slovenia joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004. |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | See Algeria–Slovenia relations | |
Egypt | See Egypt–Slovenia relations Since September 2007, Egypt has an embassy in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Cairo (opened in 1993). Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean. | |
Guinea-Bissau | Guinea-Bissau is represented in Slovenia by an honorary consulate in Ljubljana. [6] [7] | |
Libya | See Libya–Slovenia relations | |
South Africa | 30 October 1992 |
|
Tunisia | See Slovenia–Tunisia relations |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 14 April 1992 |
|
Brazil | 21 December 1992 | |
Canada | See Canada–Slovenia relations | |
Colombia | July 2004 | |
Dominica | Dominica is represented in Slovenia through its embassy in London. [11] | |
Guatemala | 25 November 1993 | |
Mexico | 22 May 1992 | See Mexico–Slovenia relations
|
Paraguay |
| |
United States | 7 April 1992 | See Slovenia–United States relations
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 27 June 1994 |
|
Azerbaijan | 20 February 1996 [17] |
|
China | 1992 [18] |
|
Georgia | 13 January 1993 | See Georgia–Slovenia relations |
India | 11 May 1992 [20] | |
Iran |
| |
Israel | 28 April 1992 | See Israel-Slovenia relations
|
Japan | See Japan–Slovenia relations
| |
North Korea | 1992[ citation needed ] | |
South Korea | 1992-04-15 | See Slovenia–South Korea relations The establishment of diplomatic relations between Republika Slovenija and the Republic of Korea began on 15 April 1992.
|
Turkey | See Slovenia–Turkey relations | |
Vietnam | 7 June 1994 |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | See Albania–Slovenia relations | |
Austria | See Austria–Slovenia relations Relations between Austria and Slovenia are close. Austria was, next to Germany and the Holy See, the most firm supporter of Slovenia's independence. It firmly endorsed Slovenia's path into the European Union. Economic cooperation between the two countries is very important and has been expanding since the early 1990s. Regional cooperation, especially with the states of Carinthia and Styria, is well developed: as a concrete manifestation of the excellent state of regional relations, Slovenia, Austria, and Italy entered a joint bid to organize the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games. | |
Belgium | See Belgium–Slovenia relations | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Slovenia relations | |
Bulgaria | See Bulgaria–Slovenia relations
| |
Croatia | See Croatia–Slovenia relations Before 1991, both countries were part of Yugoslavia. On June 26, 1991, a mutual recognitial agreement was signed by both countries. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on February 6, 1992. Croatia has an embassy in Ljubljana and two honorary consulates in Maribor and Koper. Slovenia has an embassy in Zagreb and an honorary consulate in Split. Both countries shares 670 km of common border.
| |
Cyprus | See Cyprus–Slovenia relations
| |
Czech Republic | See Czech Republic–Slovenia relations | |
Denmark | See Denmark–Slovenia relations
| |
Finland | See Finland–Slovenia relations | |
France | See France–Slovenia relations
| |
Germany | See Germany–Slovenia relations
| |
Greece | See Greece–Slovenia relations
| |
Hungary | See Hungary–Slovenia relations Relations with Hungary are excellent. Unlike with some of Hungary's other neighbors, minority issues have not been a problem in Hungarian-Slovene relations. The Hungarian minority in Slovenia is granted a policy of positive discrimination under the Slovene constitution, and the legal status of Hungarian Slovenes is good. Within the Multilateral Cooperation Initiative between Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, and Croatia, cooperation exists in numerous fields, including military (Multinational Land Force peacekeeping brigade), transportation, combating money laundering and organized crime, non-proliferation, border crossings, and environmental issues.
| |
Ireland | 1991 |
|
Italy | See Italy–Slovenia relations The bilateral relations between Italy and Slovenia have improved dramatically since 1994 and are now at a very good level. In the early 1990s, the issue regarding property restitution to the Istrian exiles was hindering the development of a good relationship between the two countries. By 1996, however, the issue had been set aside, with Italy renouncing any revision of the Treaty of Osimo, allowing a significant improvement in relations. Italy was a firm supporter of Slovene EU and NATO membership, helping Slovenia technically and legislatively master its bid for membership in European and transatlantic institutions. In 2001, the Italian Parliament finally approved the legislation resolving the last open issues regarding the Slovenian minority in Italy. The legislation, welcomed by both the representatives of the Slovenian minority in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Slovenian government, started to be implemented in 2007, removing the last pending issue between the two countries. Since then, Italo-Slovene relations can be characterized as excellent. Although there do not appear to be any scheduled flights between the two countries and the train service, which used to be frequent, has been limited to one train a day in each direction (a night service from Budapest to Venice and back) until December 2011, when it was discontinued, thus leaving no railway connection between the two countries. [30] [31] | |
Kosovo | See Kosovo–Slovenia relations Slovenia has a record of supporting the U.S. position on Kosovo, both in regular public statements by top officials and on the Security Council. Prior and during the Kosovo War of 1999, Slovenian top government officials called repeatedly for Slobodan Milošević's compliance with NATO demands. Slovenia granted NATO use of its airspace and offered further logistical support. It also has pledged personnel to support NATO humanitarian operations in the region. Slovenia helped Macedonia deal with the refugee crisis by providing 880 million sit (US$4.9 million) of humanitarian aid, in addition to granting a concession for imported agricultural products. The Slovene Government allocated 45 million SIT (US$250,000) to help Albania, Montenegro, and the Republic of Macedonia, one-third of which went to the latter. Slovenia took in over 4,100 Kosovar refugees during the crisis. Slovenia recognized Kosovo on 5 March 2008. [32] Slovenia has an embassy in Pristina since 15 May 2008. [33] Kosovo has an embassy in Ljubljana. | |
Latvia | See Latvia–Slovenia relations | |
Moldova | See Moldova–Slovenia relations Moldova recognized the Republic of Slovenia at an unknown date. Diplomatic relations were established on October 27, 1993. Both countries are represented in each other through their embassies in Budapest (Hungary). | |
Montenegro | 21 June 2006 | See Montenegro–Slovenia relations |
Netherlands | 25 June 1991 | See Netherlands–Slovenia relations |
North Macedonia | See North Macedonia–Slovenia relations The two countries have very close political and economic relations. Once part of SFR Yugoslavia, the two republics declared independence in 1991 (Slovenia in June, Macedonia in September) and recognised each other's independence on 12 February 1992. [38] Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on 17 March 1992. [39] Slovenia supports North Macedonia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, its Euro-integration and visa liberalisation. [38] [40] A significant number of Slovenian investments ended up in North Macedonia. In 2007, about 70 million euros were invested. [41] In January 2009, the Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski announced, that he expects more Slovenian investments in infrastructure and energy projects. [41] Over 70 Slovenian companies are present on the Macedonian market. [38] | |
Poland | 10 April 1992 |
|
Portugal | See Portugal–Slovenia relations | |
Romania | 28 August 1992 | See Romania–Slovenia relations
|
Russia | 25 May 1992 | See Russia–Slovenia relations
|
Serbia | 9 December 2000 | See Serbia–Slovenia relations |
Slovakia | See Slovakia–Slovenia relations | |
Spain | See Slovenia–Spain relations
| |
Sweden | See Slovenia–Sweden relations | |
Switzerland | 1992 | |
Ukraine | 10 March 1992 | See Slovenia–Ukraine relations
|
United Kingdom | 15 January 1992 | See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom Slovenia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 15 January 1992.
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement. [56] |
Cyprus is a member of the United Nations along with most of its agencies as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Council of Europe. In addition, the country has signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Agreement (MIGA). Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and in the second half of 2012 it held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Hungary wields considerable influence in Central and Eastern Europe and is a middle power in international affairs. The foreign policy of Hungary includes commitments to international development, international law, European integration, Atlantic co-operation and increased co-operation within the Global East. The Hungarian economy is fairly open and relies strongly on international trade.
The foreign relations of North Macedonia since its independence in 1991 have been characterized by the country's efforts to gain membership in international organizations such as NATO and the European Union and to gain international recognition under its previous constitutional name, overshadowed by a long-standing, dead-locked dispute with neighboring Greece. Greek objections to the country's name had led to it being admitted to the United Nations and several other international fora only under the provisional designation Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until its official and erga omnes renaming to North Macedonia, a name under which it is now universally recognised.
The foreign relations of Romania are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Romania is a member of the European Union and NATO.
Ukraine has formal relations with many nations and in recent decades has been establishing diplomatic relations with an expanding circle of nations. The foreign relations of Ukraine are guided by a number of key priorities outlined in the foreign policy of Ukraine.
Foreign relations of Serbia are formulated and executed by the Government of Serbia through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Serbia established diplomatic relations with most world nations – 188 states in total – starting with the United Kingdom (1837) and ending most recently with Guyana (2024). Serbia has friendly relations with following neighboring countries: Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Hungary. It maintains colder, more tense relations with Albania and Croatia and to a lesser degree with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria due to historic nation-building conflict and differing political ideologies.
The foreign relations between Croatia and Slovenia are bound together by shared history, neighboring geography and common political ideologies. Both states established diplomatic relations in 1992, following the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the independence of Croatia. Modern relations are warm and friendly. The two states have disputes over their border and sovereign rights over certain nuclear and economic assets. The countries share 670 km (420 mi) of common border. They are perennially each other's largest trading partners on an import-export basis.
Canada recognized Slovenia's independence in January 1992, and established diplomatic relations a year later. Both countries are full members of NATO. There are 40,470 Slovenes who live in Canada as of the 2016 Canada Census.
Kosovo–North Macedonia relations are diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Serbia–Slovenia relations Before 1991, both countries were part of Yugoslavia. Slovenia gained its independence after the Ten-Day War. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 December 2000. Serbia has an embassy in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Belgrade.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia is an executive department of the Government of Slovenia responsible for relations with other countries and international organisations, monitoring of the international political and economic situation, and strengthening of Slovenia's relations with other countries and international organisations.
Italian-Slovene relations are foreign relations between Italy and Slovenia.
Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu is a Kosovo Albanian jurist and politician who is the current president of Kosovo since 2021. Osmani was born and raised in Titova Mitrovica, SFR Yugoslavia and studied law at the University of Pristina and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She worked as an advisor to the president of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu before she was elected to the Assembly. Osmani held the position of Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo from February 2020 to March 2021, and also served as acting president between November 2020 and March 2021 after the resignation of President Hashim Thaçi. Upon her election as president, Osmani became the second woman to hold the position, as well as the first person to have served as both acting president and president of Kosovo. Osmani successfully ran on an anti-corruption platform and has expressed a desire to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Since taking office, Osmani has returned the flag of Dardania as the official symbol of the presidency.
Božo Cerar is a Slovenian diplomat.
Aljaz Gosnar is a retired Slovenian diplomat. He was Secretary General of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2011, with an interruption in 2008 when he served as the Head of the Secretariat of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. He was the Slovenian Ambassador to Madrid, Algiers and Andorra from 2012 to 2016, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and World Trade Organization in Geneva from 2001 to 2006, and the Chargé d'Affaires in Canberra from 1993 to 1997. During his career he was national coordinator of the Slovenian membership to the United Nations Security Council from 1989 to 1999, Head of the Minister's cabinet and Head of the Multilateral Relations department. He also served as diplomat in ex-Yugoslav Embassies in Guyana and Panama. Since his retirement in 2017, he has been assisting and promoting the economic relations between Slovenia and Spain in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Gipuzkoa in Spain. He is also co-founder and member of the board of Slovenian Global Business Network. He holds a degree of Bachelor of Laws.