Jewish Breaking NewsHISTORIC: Israel Opens First Resident Embassy in Slovenia as Sa’ar Arrives for First FM Visit in 16 Years
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Slovenia Wednesday, where he was greeted by his counterpart, Tone Kajzer, for meetings and for the inauguration of the Israeli Embassy in Ljubljana, marking the first visit to the country by an Israeli foreign minister since 2010.
Sa’ar was accompanied by a delegation for an Israeli-Slovenian economic forum, and the two countries will sign a cultural cooperation agreement.
In statements posted to X, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry said it was high time to open a resident Israeli Embassy.
“Welcome to Slovenia, Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar!” the ministry said. “This visit — the first at this level in 16 years — carries significant political and symbolic weight. After a prolonged period of less intensive political contacts, it is time to shift Slovenian and Israeli cooperation into a higher gear. An important step in this direction is also Israel’s decision to open a resident embassy in Ljubljana.”
The ministry described the agenda for the visit, a large part of which will be devoted to discussing economic cooperation.
“Minister Tone Kajzer will host Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Slovenia, accompanied by an economic delegation. The visit will focus on bilateral relations, situation in the Middle East, peace efforts, and strengthening economic cooperation. A significant part of the visit is devoted to meetings with business leaders and a business forum organized by @GZSnovice, @MZEZ_RS, @MGDS_gov and SPIRIT Slovenia, aimed at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.”
Gideon Sa’ar thanked the Slovenian foreign minister for his warm welcome and expressed his optimism about the outcome of his visit.
“Thank you, my friend, Tone Kajzer, Foreign Minister of Slovenia, for the warm reception at the start of this historic day in the relations between our countries. In just a few hours, I will inaugurate for the first time the Israeli embassy in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This expresses our commitment to strengthening the relations between the countries and our shared future. Together we will succeed for our peoples!”
Prime Minister Janez Janša has shifted Slovenia from its hostile stance toward Israel to a far friendlier one, blocking a European Union resolution against Israel over the E1 settlement, rejecting the accusation of genocide against Israel, and opening an Israeli embassy in Ljubljana.