Slovenia opens embassy in the Philippines

A year ago, the Slovenian government decided to open its first embassy in the ASEAN region in Manila. Next week, Tanja Fajon, Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, will pay an official visit to the Philippines and officially open the embassy.

The visit of Minister Fajon and the opening of the embassy herald enhanced cooperation in areas of common interest. We will promote stronger economic ties, more investment, trade growth and people-to-people contacts. We look forward to stronger cultural cooperation.

In this context, we congratulate the Philippines on its status as Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, a status Slovenia enjoyed two years ago, which we saw as a tribute to the nation’s entire culture, not just literature. We firmly believe that we could strengthen cooperation in science, R&D and sport.

Basketball and Slovenian star Luka Doncic are very popular here. We are also very much looking forward to the Men’s Volleyball World Championships in the Philippines in September, in which the Slovenian national team will participate.

Slovenia and the Philippines shall strengthen its political ties. In the context of multilateralism, we are like-minded countries. This year, the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War – a war that fundamentally changed the world. Slovenia lost a tenth of its population; Manila lost a hundred thousand lives in a single month and was one of the most devastated cities. Aimed at building a better world based on rules and respect for human dignity, the United Nations was founded shortly after the end of the war. The United Nations system may not be perfect and requires urgent reform, but it is the world’s only guardian of peace.

As a member of the UN Security Council 2024-25, Slovenia is a strong supporter of the UN, committed to its revitalization and to preserving its founding pledge to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Unfortunately, the international community is failing in this regard. After three years of flagrant violation of international law, Russia’s aggression must stop and peace negotiations must be conducted in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of states.

Regarding the Middle East, Slovenia supports the two-state solution as the only just and viable solution to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and oppose proposals for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, as such an act would constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

Slovenia is a member of the European Union and NATO, and builds its security through good neighborly relations and the peaceful settlement of outstanding issues based on international law. It is a safe country also thanks to its sound economic development and strong welfare state.

We are a country of just two million people, with a GDP per capita of $36,500 and growth rate above the EU average. Our main trading partners are Germany, Italy and Austria, but we also seek partnerships outside Europe, including with the Philippines. In the past, many Slovenians left their homes in search of a better life. Today, more people move to our country than leave it. The latest figures show that 16 percent of the workforce are foreigners and we also welcome workers from the Philippines.

Next year, the Philippines will chair ASEAN. We believe EU-ASEAN relations should be deepened. The EU is a partner of the Philippines and is strengthening its economic and development cooperation with the country. We strongly support the resumption of the negotiations on the EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement and look forward to a swift conclusion to boost economic cooperation between EU member-states and the Philippines.

As the world enters a new phase of security challenges, Slovenia is also increasing its defense spending. However, security is much more than military spending. It is also about social and economic development and respect for human dignity. There can be no lasting security without social and economic development and human rights, and vice versa. For example, both Slovenia and the Philippines are facing security challenges resulting from climate change, such as more intense and frequent natural disasters, as well as energy, water and food insecurity.

We will promote closer cooperation between the two countries in climate-related areas. We commend the Philippines for hosting the seat of the newly established Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, to which Slovenia was among the first to contribute.

Respect for human rights and equal opportunities is a prerequisite for stable economic and social development. On the occasion of International Women’s Day and the Philippine National Women’s Month, it is worth noting that the Philippines is one of the leading countries in promoting women’s participation in decision-making.

Slovenia has always stood for equal opportunities, gender equality and human rights. Our foreign policy has been based on these values since independence. We value our partnership with the Philippines in the UN system, where we also work closely together in areas such as the protection of the rights of the elderly and human rights education. An inclusive society is a proven strategy for sustainable peace and security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Slovenia is a strong advocate of the rules-based multilateralism and international law. I am honored to serve in a country with which we share these fundamental values.

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Smiljana Knez is the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Philippines.