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Germany and Slovenia: Bilateral relations
Diplomatic relations between Germany and Slovenia were established on 15 January 1992. The two countries enjoy very good relations based on mutual trust. The joint action plan signed by former Foreign Minister Baerbock and Slovenian Foreign Minister Fajon in 2022 has been successfully extended for the years 2025-2028. Foreign Minister Fajon signed this extension together with Foreign Minister Wadephul during her visit to Berlin on 14 July 2025.
Bilateral economic cooperation is extremely close. Germany is Slovenia’s second most important trading partner behind Switzerland and is also one of the principal foreign investors in Slovenia.
A cultural agreement between Germany and Slovenia has been in force since 1993. With its politically ambitious programming and successful language courses, the Goethe-Institut that opened in Ljubljana in 2004 is an important part of the cultural scene. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a lector and a teaching assistant in the country. Nova Gorica and Chemnitz are the joint European Capitals of Culture for 2025.
At 23 Slovenian schools, students can obtain the German Language Certificate (DSD) offered by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. They are supported by an advisor from the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) and a number of seconded teachers, as well as by volunteers from the programme “kulturweit”. In total, around 70,000 people in Slovenia are learning German, which is the most frequently taught foreign language after English.