Neighbouring countries

Slovenia seeks to strengthen good neighbourly relations and cross-border cooperation on transport, business and energy links, cultural and tourism promotion, and other fields. Collaboration with neighbouring countries is also essential in the response to natural and other disasters, combating climate change, and protecting the environment. The situation of the Slovenian national minority is at the very heart of neighbourly relations; therefore, Slovenia strives to ensure that they enjoy an adequate level of legal protection under domestic and international law.

The Mediterranean

Slovenia is raising its profile through its membership of the Union for the Mediterranean and of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative. Committed to intercultural dialogue, also through close cooperation with the Anna Lindh Foundation, Slovenia fosters the role of young people by promoting the Positive Agenda for the Youth in the Mediterranean, and engages actively in water protection and environmental protection in general.

A priority project of the Union for the Mediterranean and Slovenia's contribution to intercultural dialogue, the Euro-Mediterranean University – EMUNI is based in the Slovenian coastal town of Piran. Slovenia also participates in other projects led by the Union for the Mediterranean, such as the desalination plant in Gaza that received its biggest humanitarian contribution to date, EMUNI Master's programmes, and a project for the removal of plastic bottles from the Mediterranean Sea.

Western Balkans

People-to-people contacts and business links with Western Balkan countries provide a firm basis for a strong and comprehensive partnership. The region's geographic proximity to Slovenia increases its strategic importance as a natural economic and security hinterland. Slovenia aims to intensify regional cooperation, enhance relations with countries in the region, and support their integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. It remains a political, economic, and development partner to the region, as well as an advisor in its transition and integration into the EU and NATO, also through bilateral technical and pre-accession assistance.

Special attention is devoted to the business environment, institution-building, good governance, and combating corruption and organised crime. In addition, Slovenia closely monitors security challenges and helps to overcome them by means of the Integrative Internal Security Governance initiative. Slovenia also maintains its presence in international operations in the Western Balkans.

Further strengthening regional cooperation through political dialogue, with Slovenia as an active participant, is essential to long-term stability and reconciliation in the region. People-to-people contacts being an important tool in this context, Slovenia devotes particular attention to youth as part of the Positive Agenda for the Youth of the Western Balkans initiative.