Addis Ababa serves as vital diplomatic hub for fostering engagement with various nations

Addis Ababa, March 16, 2025 (FMC) – Addis Ababa, a vibrant diplomatic hub in Africa, offers an excellent opportunity to engage with various nations particularly African countries, Slovenian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kristina Radej, emphasized.

Ambassador Radej highlighted that the opening of Slovenia’s second resident embassy in Africa last year would significantly strengthen the country’s political and economic relations with Ethiopia and the broader region.

It is to be recalled that Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, visited Ethiopia in April 2023 and officially opened the embassy in Addis Ababa.

The embassy plays key role to enhancing the accessibility of consular assistance to Slovenian citizens traveling in East African countries, Radej said.

Slovenia has long been striving to increase its presence across the African continent. The decision to open the second resident embassy followed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Slovenia and Ethiopia.

“Addis Ababa is a vivid diplomatic hub in Africa, especially with the African Union headquartered here,” the Ambassador noted. “Here, we have an excellent opportunity to engage with Ethiopia, other African Union countries, and foster deeper cooperation.”

The Slovenian Embassy in Addis Ababa will play a key role in strengthening Slovenia’s political, economic, and cultural relations with Ethiopia and the wider region.

It will also enhance Slovenia’s involvement in shaping European Union’s relationship with the African Union, fostering mutual understanding and addressing shared challenges.

“It is about time that we opened the embassy here. It was the wisest decision our ministry made in recent years. Currently, we are non-permanent members of the Security Council, and we engage with your government and the African Union, ensuring that no African nation is left behind and supporting African solutions for African problems,” Ambassador Radej said.

Reflecting on Slovenia’s history of cooperation with Ethiopia and the region, Radej added, after gaining independence in 1991, we joined the European Union in 2004.

Our people-to-people contacts, which date back to the time of former Yugoslavia, have already established a strong foundation of trust between our nations, she told local news agency ENA.

Ambassador Radej emphasized that with the embassy’s presence, Slovenia would further advance cooperation in multiple areas, including economic partnerships, political exchanges, and cultural dialogue.

She also stressed the importance of open discussions with African countries in Addis Ababa and beyond, aiming to facilitate smoother trade and financial transactions between Ethiopia and Slovenian businesses.

The Ambassador also expressed Slovenia’s commitment to collaborating with Ethiopia on beekeeping, agriculture, and technology transfer, among other areas.

The embassy’s opening last year is seen as a significant step toward enhancing Slovenia’s role in Africa and strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia, promoting greater economic, political, and cultural cooperation.