20 October 2026, Ljubljana – A formal reception was held in the Slovenian capital to celebrate the Republic Day of Kazakhstan, marking the 36th anniversary of the national holiday and the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Slovenia.
The event marked the first official state reception organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Slovenia, with the support of leading business partners, representing a historic step towards strengthening Kazakhstan’s diplomatic presence in South-Eastern Europe.
The reception brought together more than 200 distinguished guests, reflecting the event’s high standing and particular significance for the region’s political and business communities. Among the guests of honour were former President of Slovenia Danilo Türk, Mufti of the Islamic Community in Slovenia Nevzet Porić, Archbishop Metropolitan of Ljubljana Stanislav Zore, advisers to the President of Slovenia, government representatives, chairpersons of parliamentary committees, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of state institutions and civil society organizations, members of Slovenia’s business, financial and industrial communities, prominent figures from cultural and artistic circles, representatives of the Kazakh diaspora, as well as residents and visitors of Ljubljana.
In a special video message, Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tone Kajzer, warmly congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on their national holiday. The head of Slovenian diplomacy emphasized the strategic importance of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in Slovenia’s foreign policy, noting that the opening of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ljubljana had given significant momentum to bilateral dialogue. He also expressed confidence that political cooperation and trade and economic relations would continue to expand, paving the way for the implementation of major joint projects.
In his welcoming address, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan Altai Abibullayev highlighted the profound historical significance of Republic Day, drawing a connection between the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty and Kazakhstan’s contemporary transformation in the context of global change. He outlined the country’s key socio-economic reforms aimed at building a just and technologically advanced state.
Particular emphasis was placed on the outcomes of the referendum on the adoption of the country’s new Constitution, the elections to the Kurultai, Kazakhstan’s new unicameral legislative body, and Astana’s global environmental initiatives, including the national programme “Taza Kazakhstan” and the strategic initiative of the President of Kazakhstan to establish an International Water Organisation under the auspices of the United Nations. The Ambassador also underscored Kazakhstan’s role and contribution to ensuring the energy security of the European Union.
Reflecting on the development of bilateral relations, Ambassador Abibullayev noted that Kazakhstan and Slovenia were entering a fundamentally new phase of enhanced partnership, underpinned by the historic visit of Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar to Kazakhstan.
Promising areas for further cooperation include energy, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, transport and logistics, healthcare, green technologies, science, education and tourism.
A major highlight of the evening was the official announcement of the entry of Kazakhstan’s KMG International into the Slovenian market, marking a significant shift towards practical energy and investment cooperation between the two countries.
In light of Kazakhstan’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, guests were particularly impressed by innovative video content created by the Embassy using advanced AI technologies. The presentation vividly showcased Kazakhstan’s technological ambitions and its commitment to innovation on the international stage.
The reception in Ljubljana was more than a commemorative celebration, it was a powerful demonstration of mutual respect, a high level of trust and the shared determination of Kazakhstan and Slovenia to build a strong, long-term partnership amid evolving geopolitical realities.
Reference: According to data from the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade turnover in 2025 amounted to USD 136.2 million. Trade turnover for January–June 2026 reached USD 77.5 million. Cumulative foreign direct investment inflows from Slovenia between 2005 and the third quarter of 2025 amounted to USD 221.4 million.
According to Slovenian customs statistics, bilateral trade turnover in 2025 amounted to USD 215.6 million. During the first eight months of 2026, trade turnover reached USD 153.7 million.
