Following its declaration of independence on 25 June 1991, Türkiye
recognized the Republic of Slovenia on 6 February 1992. Subsequently,
Turkish Embassy in Ljubljana was opened on 1 April 1993 and Slovenia opened
its Embassy in Ankara in September 1996.
Since the establishment of the Republic of Slovenia, bilateral relations
between the two countries have developed positively and within a broad
spectrum. Friendly character of relations culminated in Strategic
Partnership declaration between Türkiye and Slovenia on 3 March 2011.
Bilateral contacts and visits gained momentum and relations in many fields
have been developed since then.
Trade volume between Türkiye and Slovenia has steadily increased over the
past years. In 2022, total trade volume between Türkiye and Slovenia
reached 2.3 billion US Dollars. In Slovenia, Turkish citizens own mainly
small to medium-size enterprises (SME), operating in the sectors such as
food, textile, jewellery and tourism.
As of the end of 2022, there are 117 Turkish companies and joint ventures
registered in Slovenia. In Slovenia, which is located on the Central and
Southern European transportation routes, there are cooperation
opportunities for Turkish investors in the logistics sector, as well as the
automotive industry, pharmaceuticals and R&D. Winter tourism and the
ski industry can also be considered among promising cooperation areas.
Turkish contracting companies took part in the construction of the Divača –
Koper second railway project, which will increase the cargo capacity of
Koper Port and its connection to Central Europe, and the Karavanke Tunnel.
These projects are also important in terms of gaining credibility in the EU
market in the field of contracting.
In 2022, 48,622 Slovenian citizens visited Türkiye. The visa-free regime
for Slovenian citizens travelling to Türkiye for touristic or commercial
purposes has contributed to this. Likewise, the interest of Turkish people
in visiting Slovenia for touristic purposes has increased steadily over the
years.
Ongoing positive relations in all fields between the two countries reveal
itself also in the cultural and educational spheres. Turkish contemporary
art and literature increasingly attract the Slovenian society. Slovenian
publishers translate works of prominent Turkish authors into Slovenian.
Moreover, Turkish students studying in Slovenia within the framework of the
Erasmus programme play an important role in the flourishment of cultural
relations with Slovenia.