Republic of Slovenia - Czech Republic

Relations between the two countries are regular, positive and very cooperative. They are based on the traditionally rich associations between the two nations, similar philosophies of political, economic and social development, and being part of the same Central European space.

The Czech Republic ranks eleventh among Slovenia's foreign trade partners. Although Slovenia has had a constant trade deficit with the Czech Republic, it remains one of Slovenia's most important trading partners.

In 2001 trade between the two countries totalled USD 416.7 million. Slovenian exports were worth USD 168 million, an increase of 11.4 percent on the previous year, and imports from the Czech Republic were worth USD 248.7 million, a decrease of 1.4 percent.

All the relevant agreements from the economic sphere have been signed and the countries are both members of CEFTA, the Central European Free Trade Agreement.

In recent years the number of official visits has been on the increase. The Czech foreign minister Jan Kavan made a working visit to Slovenia in January 1999, as did the Czech President Václav Havel in April 2000. In May 2001 the Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman paid an official visit to Slovenia. The Prime Minister, Dr Drnovsek, made an official visit to the Czech Republic in March 1999, followed in September of the same year by Slovenia's then foreign minister Dr Boris Frlec. Dr Dimitrij Rupel made an official visit to the Czech Republic as Slovenia's foreign minister in April 2000. The Czech foreign minister Jan Kavan visited Slovenia in February 2001 and in May of the same year the President of the Republic Milan Kucan made a working visit to the Czech Republic.

European Union membership is a foreign policy priority for the Czech Republic, which has closed 24 negotiating chapters to date.

The Czech Republic strongly supports Slovenia's endeavours towards NATO membership. The Czech Republic's experiences so far of integration and operations with NATO are a useful source of information in Slovenia's efforts to join.

The Czech Republic has donated USD 217,100 to the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF).

The two countries have already signed all the most important agreements, creating an excellent base for cooperation in a wide range of areas.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICE © 2002