Republic of Slovenia - Federal Republic of Germany

Relations between the two countries are traditionally very good. They are marked by frequent mutual visits and meetings at various levels. In March 2001, the German foreign minister Joschka Fischer and the minister of the interior Schily visited Slovenia, while a delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, led by the President of the National Assembly Borut Pahor, visited the Bundestag. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Slovenia's independence on 25 June 2001, the German Chancellor Gerhard Schöder spent some time in Slovenia. Tone Horvat, the President of the National Council of Slovenia, was on an official visit to Germany in the second half of October. There were other important bilateral visits in 2001. The German Federal President Johannes Rau is expected to make a two-day visit to Slovenia on 29 May 2002. The German finance minister, Hans Eichel, is also expected to visit Slovenia as a part of his tour of the EU membership candidate countries, although there is not as yet any firm agreement on this. There is an open invitation for a visit to Slovenia for the President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Thierse, and for Renate Künast, the minister for consumer protection, food and agriculture.

The situation with regard to agreements between the two countries is also very positive. With the act on succession of agreements between the former Yugoslavia and Germany, 27 bilateral agreements continue to apply. In addition, 25 new agreements have been concluded between Slovenia and Germany (5 of which do not yet apply), and another 11 are under the procedure of being concluded.

Germany is Slovenia's most important trading partner - nearly a third of Slovenia's total trade is with Germany. In 2001, trade with Germany amounted to US$4.36 billion (US$4.28 billion in 2000), with exports accounting for US$2.42 billion (US$2.37 billion in 2000), and imports US$1.94 billion (US$1.91 billion in 2000). Germany is also a very important partner in the exchange of services and other forms of economic co-operation.

Slovenia is one of few countries and the only country in transition to enjoy a trade surplus with Germany.

Germany is Slovenia's most important foreign trade partner - the exchange of goods with Germany represents a third of Slovenia's total exchange of goods (approximately US$4 billion ), a third of which originates in Bavaria (approximately US$1 billion).

Germany is the second (12%) most important investor in Slovenia's economy, with investment from Bavaria representing a third of the total.

More than half of the economic co-operation with Germany takes place with two federal states - Bavaria and Baden Württemberg. Seventy percent of all mixed or Slovene-owned companies in Germany are based in Bavaria. So far, 120 Bavarian companies have opened subsidiaries in Slovenia. Slovenia also co-operates with Bavaria within the Slovenia-Bavaria Permanent Mixed Commission, where representatives of all ministries and institutions meet with their Bavarian colleagues. In 2002, the Commission will have its 22nd session.

With regard to defence, bilateral co-operation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Germany is very intensive, appearing mainly in the form of regular working meetings involving representatives from both defence ministries. In 2001, there were 44 such events, 22 in each country. In February this year, Slovene-German staff- level talks took place at the General Staff of the Slovene Armed Forces. On 11 March 2002, the Slovene defence minister, Dr Anton Grizold, visited Germany.

Within the framework of defence-technical co-operation come activities involving the Slovene-German armament group. Both sides also co-operate in military education and training as part of the "Militaerische Ausbildungshilfe" programme.

In May 2001, a group for friendship with Germany was founded in the current National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. The group consists of 19 members and is presided over by Franc Horvat. A similar group for friendship with Slovenia was formed in April 1999 in the German Bundestag. It consists of fifteen members, led by Anton Pfeifer (CDU).

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