Relations are moving into the implementation phase. Slovenia’s new ambassador, Branko Rakovec, begins his mission after two major developments in bilateral ties: the opening of Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Ljubljana and President Nataša Pirc Musar’s visit to Astana, DKNews.kz reports.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov received copies of credentials from Branko Rakovec, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Kazakhstan. The diplomat is accredited to Kazakhstan with residence in Ljubljana.
Focus shifts to implementing high-level agreements
One of the main topics of the meeting was the practical implementation of agreements reached at the highest political level.
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar paid an official visit to Kazakhstan on March 31–April 1, 2025. In Astana, she held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the two leaders also took part in the Kazakhstan-Slovenia Business Forum.
The two sides view that visit, together with the opening of Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Ljubljana in 2024, as evidence of stronger political and economic ties.
The next task is to turn that momentum into concrete projects and practical results.
Intergovernmental commission to support business cooperation
Issetov and Rakovec also focused on the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
The commission is expected to support the practical side of the bilateral economic agenda and help implement agreements reached at the political level.
There is already a foundation for deeper economic engagement. Previously published figures showed that direct investment from Slovenia into Kazakhstan has exceeded $195 million since 2006, while around 20 companies with Slovenian capital are registered in Kazakhstan.
More than 25 Slovenian companies participated in the business forum held in Astana in April 2025.
Ljubljana became a new diplomatic foothold for Kazakhstan in Europe
The opening of Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Ljubljana in 2024 also changed the infrastructure of bilateral relations.
Before that, ties had developed without a separate Kazakh diplomatic mission in the Slovenian capital. The embassy gave Astana a permanent platform for working with Slovenian government institutions and businesses.
The bilateral agenda later expanded to include investment, transport and logistics, digitalization, pharmaceuticals, education, culture and tourism.
Branko Rakovec starts with an established agenda
Arman Issetov congratulated the Slovenian diplomat on his appointment and expressed confidence that his mission would contribute to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Astana and Ljubljana.
Branko Rakovec thanked the Kazakh side for the warm welcome and said he would make every effort to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
The sides agreed to continue constructive engagement across the full range of areas of mutual interest.
The main benchmark for the next stage will be the practical implementation of agreements reached after the embassy opening and the presidential visit.
DKNews.kz previously reported in detail on the talks between Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar in Astana, where investment and new joint projects were among the key areas of discussion.
