Kazakhstan is an important partner of Slovenia and the EU

Following an official reception with military honours, the President attended a bilateral meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, where the two leaders expressed their firm support for continued collaboration in business, science, education and sustainable development, and efforts to ensure international stability through UN activities.

"Kazakhstan is Slovenia’s principal partner in Central Asia and a key partner for dialogue with the EU in the region. The EU is Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partner – and we wish to further strengthen this partnership. In times of geopolitical uncertainty, relationships like the one that we are building with Kazakhstan today are all the more important. At the heart of this relationship must be dialogue, mutual respect and a readiness to build a long-term partnership – both with Ljubljana and with Brussels," said President Pirc Musar. 

The two presidents also discussed the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan. "Slovenia strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We support a lasting and just peace, one that is acceptable to Ukraine and based on international law. It is perfectly clear that Russia is the aggressor – any other interpretation is unacceptable and cannot stand," said the Slovenian President, reiterating Slovenia’s position. She added that Ukraine and the EU should be part of the peace negotiations.

President Pirc Musar expressed concern about the situation in Afghanistan, particularly the status of women. Slovenia is already working together with Kazakhstan through the ITF organisation on ammunition destruction and stockpile management. "We believe that this cooperation sets a good example and could be expanded to other areas, for example, to cybersecurity, countering extremism and border management."

The meeting also brought concrete results – signed cooperation agreements on tourism, education and science. The President stressed that these agreements provide an important legal framework to foster relations and exchanges between the two countries. She also met with the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev.

In the afternoon part of her visit, the President addressed students at Nazarbayev University in Astana. In a speech entitled " Small states in the emerging multi-polar world", she highlighted the importance of international cooperation, justice and the self-confidence of smaller countries. "History teaches us that a country is not small if it can think boldly. Today, Slovenia is a member of all major European and global organisations because we believe in international cooperation – and Kazakhstan can be a good partner in this respect," she said. She also called attention to common interests in environmental diplomacy, artificial intelligence and water management.

In the evening, the President will attend a concert by Slovenian pianist Marko Črnčec and Kazakhstani cellist Eldar Saparayev at the Astana Opera. She will also meet with members of the Slovenian community living in Kazakhstan.