Uzbekistan-Slovenia: 30 years of partnership and new horizons of cooperation

The official visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Slovenia will take place on May 21-22.

It is symbolic that this visit will take place in the year of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Uzbek-Slovenian diplomatic relations. Since January 16, 1995, bilateral cooperation has been consistently developing, demonstrating stable dynamics and covering the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Political interaction between Uzbekistan and Slovenia, according to experts, has significant potential for further development and deepening in the spirit of mutual respect and constructive dialogue. Both countries, seeking to diversify their foreign policy and economic ties, find common ground that promote mutually beneficial exchange and strengthen bilateral relations. Slovenia, as a member of the European Union, is an important partner for Uzbekistan in its desire to deepen relations with the EU.

In March 2005, the first official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Slovenia took place, which became an important stage in the development of bilateral relations. In subsequent years, inter-parliamentary relations and cooperation within the framework of international organizations intensified.

In particular, Ljubljana supported and became a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan “On enhancing the role of parliaments in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals” (2022) and “Promoting sustainable forest management, including afforestation and reforestation, degraded lands, including in drylands, as an effective solution to environmental problems" (2024).

Slovenia also supported Uzbekistan when voting for ECOSOC membership for 2025-2027. In addition, the parties mutually supported each other’s candidacies for the Human Rights Committee for 2025-2028 (Uzbekistan) and the Human Rights Council for 2026-2028 (Slovenia).

Within UNESCO, Uzbekistan in 2017 supported Slovenia’s candidacy for the Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrology Program and the Council of the International Bureau for Education level of the second electoral group.

A constructive dialogue is being conducted between the foreign policy departments of the two countries. In November 2024, the third round of inter-Ministry of Foreign Affairs political consultations was held in Tashkent with the participation of State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Marko Stutsin. The parties discussed the prospects for expanding the diplomatic presence and agreed to hold the next round of consultations in 2025 in Ljubljana.

Regular meetings and consultations at various levels, including visits of official delegations and exchange of ambassadors, contribute to a better understanding of each other's positions on current issues of the international and regional agenda.

Economic interaction between the two countries also demonstrates positive dynamics. Slovenia, as a member of the European Union, is of strategic interest to Uzbekistan in the context of expanding trade and investment cooperation with the EU. The development of partnership with Slovenia opens up opportunities to attract investment, introduce advanced technologies and expand export markets.

Since 2022, when the volume of mutual trade increased by 40%, the scale of bilateral trade has been steadily growing, which is facilitated, among other things, by Uzbekistan receiving the status of a beneficiary of the EU Generalized System of Preferences “GSP+”. At the end of 2024, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Slovenia increased by 60.3% compared to the previous year. Statistics for the first quarter of 2025 show that trade turnover increased by a further 47.8% compared to the same period last year. It is noteworthy that exports from Uzbekistan increased more than 20 times, and imports from Slovenia decreased by 10%, which indicates the growing competitiveness of Uzbek products in the European market.

Uzbekistan exports mainly raw materials and agricultural products to Slovenia, while Slovenia supplies high-tech equipment, pharmaceuticals, automobiles components and other industrial goods. There is significant potential for expanding the range of goods and services, especially in the manufacturing industry and information technology.

In February 2023, the Uzbekistan-Slovenia business forum was held in Tashkent, within the framework of which an Economic Cooperation Agreement was signed. The prospects for joint projects in the areas of automotive industry, production of hydraulic turbines, pharmaceuticals, creation of the agro-industrial complex, as well as the opening of a branch of the Slovenian trading network “Mercator Group” in Uzbekistan were discussed.

An important factor in the development of interaction is the mutual interest of the parties in mutual investment partnership. Uzbekistan, which is actively pursuing economic reforms, offers favorable conditions for Slovenian companies to invest in various sectors, including textiles, construction, pharmaceuticals and tourism. Slovenian companies, in turn, can offer Uzbekistan experience in the field of innovation and high technology. Today, there are three enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with the participation of Slovenian investments: one joint venture and two with 100% foreign capital.

Joint projects are being developed in areas such as energy, logistics and tourism. Slovenia, known for its natural beauty and developed tourism infrastructure, is of interest to Uzbek tourists. At the same time, the ancient cities and rich history of Uzbekistan are attracting more and more Slovenian travelers. The development of tourism ties contributes to the deepening of interpersonal contacts.

During the negotiations held on the eve of the Uzbek-Slovenian summit at the highest level, the delegation of business circles of Uzbekistan in Ljubljana reached a number of specific agreements to increase mutual trade turnover to $500 million by expanding the range and volume of supplies of textile and fruit and vegetable products, mineral fertilizers, plastics, non-ferrous metals, building materials, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment and other finished products with high added value.

The geographical location of Uzbekistan in Central Asia and Slovenia in Europe creates opportunities for effective cooperation in the development of transport corridors connecting the two regions. Therefore, both countries are interested in increasing transport and logistics cooperation, including the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of the two states.

Cultural and humanitarian ties occupy an important place in bilateral relations. They help strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between peoples.

As part of cultural exchanges, various cultural events such as exhibitions, concerts and festivals are held to promote the cultural heritage of both countries.

In November 2024, a meeting was held in Tashkent with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, during which the prospects for scientific and educational projects, academic exchanges and joint educational programs were discussed.

The analysis shows a growing interest in both countries in cooperation in the field of education, so the development of this area promises to be mutually beneficial and fruitful.

Thus, in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Uzbekistan and Slovenia demonstrate their desire to further strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect and common interests.

In this regard, the busy program of the upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Slovenia, the planned meetings and negotiations at the highest level will certainly determine new horizons for bilateral relations and give they have a multifaceted and dynamic character.

IA “Dunyo”