New impetus for Slovenian-Bavarian cooperation on the 50th anniversary of the Mixed Commission

SLOVENIA, June 30 - "The Year of Slovenian-Bavarian Cooperation, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Permanent Slovenian-Bavarian Mixed Commission, is an opportunity for a new impetus. Bavaria has been a valuable supporter of Slovenia since independence and remains an extremely important economic partner, accounting for more than 20% of its total trade with Germany. In addition to the economy, other areas such as the transformation of the automotive industry, future technologies, space, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, new materials, research, etc. also offer opportunities to further boost relations. At a time of rapid geopolitical change and major common challenges, coherence, unity and regular dialogue with our partners are crucial," said Minister Fajon at the signing of the Joint Declaration. 

Among projects to be implemented by the end of this year and during the next, special attention should be devoted to cooperation between the German Heart Centre Munich and the Paediatric Clinic at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana in the field of cardiac surgery, the exhibition of Slovenian impressionists in Dachau and the Slovenian-Bavarian Economic Summit. A delegation of leading Slovenian companies and the Slovenian Space Office will be on a visit to Bavaria from tomorrow, 1 July 2025, until the end of the week to strengthen cooperation in the field of space technology.  

Minister Fajon and the Bavarian State Minister for European and International Relations, Eric Beißvenger, agreed that Slovenia and Bavaria have many similarities, which are reflected in the excellent relations in the fields of the economy, culture and education. The large Slovenian community in Bavaria, which is home to around 9,000 Slovenians and seven Slovenian associations, a Slovenian language teacher and two practical language teachers at the universities of Munich and Regensburg, makes an important contribution to these relations. Ministers Fajon and Beißvenger exchanged views on the most pressing challenges within the European Union and in the wider geopolitical context. 

The Permanent Slovenian-Bavarian Mixed Commission was established in 1975 and is Slovenia's oldest form of international cooperation under the former common state.