Ireland's relationship with Slovenia
Ireland and Slovenia have longstanding links and a shared history in our respective fights for independence. Ireland formally recognised Slovenia’s independence on 15 January 1992, and opened a resident Embassy in Ljubljana on 29 October 2001.
Our relations strengthened during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union (EU) in 2004, when Slovenia and nine other states joined the EU at a ceremony in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on 1 May 2004.
Working for peace and prosperity
Based on our commitment to shared values, Ireland and Slovenia have become close partners within the EU and at the United Nations (UN). Both states work together in international fora to protect and promote peace and prevent conflict around the world.
Engagement between Ireland and Slovenia has deepened further in recent years during our respective terms on the United Nations Security Council, grounded in our shared values, including defending human rights and freedoms and upholding international law.
Economic relations
Ireland and Slovenia are both small countries but large exporters whose economies have been strengthened by the EU single market.
Ireland and Slovenia have a modest but growing two-way trade in goods and services of roughly €700 million annually. The steady increase is facilitated by our common membership of the Eurozone. Irish and Slovenian Ministers with responsibility for economic affairs met in Ljubljana in March 2024, and highlighted the large potential for stronger future growth.
People-to-people connections
The numbers of Irish and Slovenians living in each other’s countries continues to rise. Both communities make important contributions in their new homes. Irish people in Slovenia are active in areas including education, innovation and research, and energy.
While Slovenia is one of the few countries in Europe with no direct air connection to Ireland, more and more Slovenians are travelling to Ireland from nearby airports, while Ljubljana and other parts of Slovenia are becoming an increasingly popular destination for Irish visitors, including for winter sports.
Educational and cultural connections
Links between educational institutions in our countries continue to grow with an increasing number of Irish students at the University of Ljubljana.
Irish culture, especially music and dance, remain popular across Slovenia. Irish literature is also hugely popular especially among Slovenians who are among Europe’s most avid readers.