Bilateral relations

An important milestone in the development of bilateral relations was the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ljubljana in 2024, which provided additional impetus to the expansion of political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries.

Since 2025H.E. Mr. Altay Abibullayev has been serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Slovenia.

Since 2024H.E. Mr. Alan Suhadolnik has been serving as Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Kazakhstan (with residence in Moscow).

Taking into account the growing political and economic importance of Kazakhstan as a key partner in Central Asia, the Slovenian authorities are currently in the process of appointing Mr. Branko Rakovec as non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Kazakhstan with residence in Ljubljana

Kazakhstan and Slovenia maintain friendly and constructive relations based on mutual respect, regular political dialogue and steadily expanding cooperation in trade, investment, culture, education and multilateral diplomacy.

POLITICAL COOPERATION

Political dialogue between Kazakhstan and Slovenia is characterized by a constructive and mutually respectful approach. Contacts are maintained at the highest and high levels, and the two countries cooperate actively within international organizations and multilateral frameworks.

Contacts at the highest level

• May 2002 – official visit of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to Slovenia.
• September 2002 – official visit of President of Slovenia Milan Kučan to Kazakhstan.
• 10–12 November 2009 – state visit of President of Slovenia Danilo Türk to Kazakhstan.
• 1–2 December 2010 – participation of President Danilo Türk in the OSCE Summit in Astana.
• September 2023 – meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
• 31 March – 1 April 2025 – official visit of President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The official visit of President Nataša Pirc Musar to Kazakhstan in 2025 became an important milestone in bilateral relations and significantly strengthened political dialogue between the two countries. During the visit, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening political cooperation, expanding trade and investment relations, strengthening transport and logistics connectivity and promoting cooperation in innovation and digital technologies.

High-level contacts

• June 2011 – meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kazykhanov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Samuel Žbogar during the 38th OIC Ministerial Conference.
• 13 June 2013 – official visit of Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Karl Erjavec to Astana.
• December 2022 – meeting between Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Łódź.
• 31 March 2025 – meeting between Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon during the official visit of the Slovenian President to Kazakhstan.

Inter-parliamentary cooperation

Inter-parliamentary dialogue is developing through parliamentary friendship groups and contacts between the legislative bodies of both countries.

Since July 2023, a parliamentary friendship group for cooperation with the Parliament of Slovenia has been operating in the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan

In September 2019, representatives of the Kazakhstan-Slovenia parliamentary friendship group from Slovenia participated in the IV Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of the Eurasian Countries held in Astana.

On 26 November 2025, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Altay Abibullayev held a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms. Urška Klakočar Zupančič, during which the parties discussed prospects for strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue and expanding bilateral cooperation.

The Ambassador also held meetings with members of the Slovenian Parliament, including the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly, during which issues of political cooperation, regional developments and the prospects for strengthening parliamentary ties between Kazakhstan and Slovenia were discussed.

Consultations between foreign ministries

Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Slovenia are held regularly at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

The first round of consultations took place in Astana in February 2017, the second round in Bled in September 2018, and the most recent consultations were held in Astana in November 2024

These consultations serve as an important mechanism for discussing issues of bilateral cooperation, international agenda and coordination of positions within international organizations.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Trade and economic cooperation remains one of the key pillars of Kazakhstan-Slovenia relations.

According to Kazakh statistics, bilateral trade turnover in 2025 amounted to USD 136.3 million, including USD 4.5 million in exports from Kazakhstan and USD 133.7 million in imports from Slovenia

In 2024, bilateral trade turnover amounted to USD 105.7 million, including USD 5.7 million in exports from Kazakhstan and approximately USD 100 million in imports from Slovenia

According to Slovenian statistical data, bilateral trade in 2025 reached USD 215.6 million, including USD 196.1 million in Slovenian exports to Kazakhstan and USD 19.6 million in imports from Kazakhstan

According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the total inflow of foreign direct investment from Slovenia to Kazakhstan between 2005 and 2024 amounted to USD 36 million

Currently 19 enterprises with Slovenian capital operate in Kazakhstan, including companies in the pharmaceuticals, engineering, telecommunications and renewable energy sectors. Among them are KRKA, Gorenje, Lek, Bisol Group, DUOL and Iskrat

An important institutional mechanism of bilateral cooperation is the Kazakhstan–Slovenia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation

The 5th session of the Intergovernmental Commission is planned to be held in Ljubljana in 2026, which is expected to provide an additional impetus to expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Promising areas of bilateral cooperation include:

• development of transport and logistics connectivity, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor)
• cooperation with the Port of Koper as an important European logistics hub
• digital technologies and artificial intelligence
• pharmaceuticals and healthcare
• green technologies and renewable energy
• engineering and industrial cooperation.

In order to strengthen economic diplomacy and facilitate interaction between the business communities of the two countries, Mr. Janez Škrabec, President of the Riko Group, has been appointed Honorary Adviser to the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Slovenia on Economic and Investment Affairs

CULTURAL AND HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation plays an important role in strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people contacts between Kazakhstan and Slovenia.

The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Slovenia actively promotes cultural dialogue through concerts, exhibitions, academic exchanges and sporting events.

On 12 March 2026, the concert “Harmony of Cultures: A Festive Concert in Ljubljana Ahead of the Referendum and Nauryz” was held at the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan.

The concert featured renowned Kazakh-German cellist Eldar Saparayev, professor at the University of Ljubljana, together with the “Botti-Celli” ensemble, composed of Kazakhstani students. The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Slovenia, representatives of Slovenian public and business circles and friends of Kazakhstan.

Cultural exchanges between the two countries have been developing for many years. Within the international cultural project “Pearls of Kazakhstan – Melodies of the Great Steppe”, numerous concerts and performances by Kazakh artists have been organized in Slovenia, including performances by world-renowned singer Dimash Qudaibergen, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Aiman Mussakhajayeva, the Astana Opera ballet troupe and other cultural ensembles.

Educational cooperation is also expanding through contacts between universities and research institutions of Kazakhstan and Slovenia, contributing to the development of academic partnerships and student exchanges.

Sports cooperation also contributes to strengthening humanitarian ties. In December 2025, the Kazakhstan U20 national ice hockey team participated in the 2026 IIHF U20 World Championship Division I Group A, held in Bled, Slovenia, where the Kazakh team finished second in the tournament standings

The Slovenian spa resort Rogaška Slatina is also well known among citizens of Kazakhstan as a popular wellness destination.

MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

Kazakhstan and Slovenia maintain constructive cooperation within international organizations and support each other’s initiatives and candidacies.

Slovenia supported Kazakhstan’s:

• Chairmanship in the OSCE and the OSCE Summit in Astana
• hosting of EXPO-2017
• candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (2017-2018)
• candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (2022-2024)

Kazakhstan supported Slovenia’s:

• candidacy as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2024-2025)
• candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (2026-2028)
• initiative proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day