Slovenia and Israel give new impetus to political and economic cooperation

Minister Tone Kajzer and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. | Author STA/Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

Slovenia and Israel have traditionally enjoyed friendly relations, and both countries would like to renew these ties after a prolonged period of less intensive political contact. During the meeting, Minister Kajzer expressed Slovenia's interest in establishing an open, regular and substantive political dialogue with Israel, as well as in enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

"Today, we are welcoming an Israeli foreign minister to Slovenia for the first time in 16 years. The visit therefore carries significant political and symbolic weight. After a period of less intensive contact, it is time to take cooperation between Slovenia and Israel to the next level," Minister Kajzer said.

Israel's decision to open a resident embassy in Ljubljana will contribute significantly to this goal. A permanent diplomatic presence will intensify political dialogue and facilitate closer economic, scientific, technological, cultural and other forms of cooperation between the two countries.

A concrete step forward in the fields of education, science and culture

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of the Programme of Cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, youth and sport for 2026-2030. The Programme provides a concrete framework for strengthening direct ties between the two countries and their institutions.

The Programme provides for cooperation in the fields of education and scholarships, networking between higher education institutions, science, culture and the arts, cultural heritage and archaeology, literature and book fairs, cinema and audiovisual arts, archives and libraries, and youth exchanges and sport. It also envisages cooperation within the framework of international organisations.

Particular focus is placed on student exchanges. The Israeli side will offer up to five postgraduate scholarships to Slovenian students for one academic year, while the Slovenian side will offer Israeli postgraduate students scholarships for a total period of up to 27 months.

"This Government has opted for dialogue rather than exclusion, as we believe that social progress is based on cooperation and opening up new horizons," Minister Kajzer explained.

The success of economic diplomacy is reflected in concrete results

Today's visit focused on economic cooperation. Minister Sa'ar arrived in Slovenia accompanied by a large business delegation. More than fifty representatives of businesses, institutions and the investment community from both countries are taking part in the Slovenia-Israeli business forum.

The forum aimed to create new opportunities for trade, investment, technological cooperation and joint research and development projects.

Minister Kajzer emphasised that the task of the Slovenian economic diplomacy is to open doors for Slovenian companies, seek out new markets and create new opportunities, and that this work must also lead to tangible results.

"The success of today's visit will not be measured solely by the quality of our discussions, but by what emerges from them in the coming months and years: new business deals, investments, joint research and development projects and new partnerships," said Minister Kajzer.

Slovenia presented its competitive advantages to Israeli companies

Before the start of the business forum, Jernej Videtič, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Economic Diplomacy, Development and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, outlined the advantages of the Slovenian business environment and opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation to the Israeli business delegation.

The forum opened with introductory addresses by Štefan Kušar, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Sport, and Eden Bar Tal, Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The focus was on presenting Slovenia as an open, export-oriented economy. The advantages of its EU membership and participation in the euro area were highlighted, as were its strategic location, developed infrastructure, skilled and multilingual workforce, as well as strong industrial, research and innovation base.

Slovenia and Israel have different, but complementary economies. Slovenia offers industrial and engineering expertise, research capabilities, manufacturing and access to European markets, while Israel offers technological expertise, innovation and entrepreneurship, including a robust start-up and investment environment.

"It is precisely by combining these strengths that I see many opportunities. I do not view today's forum as the end of the dialogue, but rather as the start of a new chapter," Minister Kajzer emphasised.

From artificial intelligence to biotechnology and advanced manufacturing

The following areas were highlighted as having the greatest potential for enhanced cooperation: high technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, medical technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, water and agricultural technologies, green technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Particular potential was identified in linking Slovenian companies and research institutions with Israel's innovation, start-up and investment ecosystem.

Representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Manufacturers Association of Israel, the Israel Export Institute and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce participated in a discussion on potential areas of cooperation in Israel. They presented the Israeli business environment and opportunities for Slovenian companies seeking to strengthen their presence in the Israeli market and forge new partnerships.

A significant part of the programme was devoted to logistics and cooperation between ports, notably between the Port of Koper and the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The presentations were followed by bilateral business-to-business (B2B) meetings, with representatives of Slovenian and Israeli companies exploring concrete opportunities for business cooperation, partnerships and investment.

Direct flight connections to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties

The Government has strongly championed the direct flight connection between Ljubljana and Tel Aviv right from the outset of its term, as it will help enhance the ties between the two economies and peoples.

Cooperation between Slovenia and Israel is also based on direct people-to-people contacts, with tourism playing a vital role. It contributes to mutual visits and understanding, as well as to strengthening the bonds between the two societies.

In 2025, approximately 29,000 Israeli tourists visited Slovenia, 11 per cent more than the year before. Slovenia sees great potential for further increasing tourist flows and would like to encourage visits and exchanges in both directions.

"Today sends a clear message that we seek more concrete cooperation. The true success of the forum will become apparent in the coming months - in new partnerships, investments, joint projects and tangible results," Minister Kajzer emphasised at the conclusion of the event.

Opening of the Israeli Embassy in Ljubljana | Author STA/MZEZ