On the occasion of Slovenia’s national day—a symbol of deep pride and historical significance for the Slovenian people—we sat down with Mr. Damjan Bergant, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Belgrade.

During the discussion, Mr. Bergant explained how Slovenia celebrates its national day, the symbolism it holds for the Slovenian people, and the outlook for bilateral relations between Slovenia and Serbia. We also touched on topics such as economic cooperation, cultural exchange, education, as well as sustainable development and environmental protection—fields in which Slovenia has extensive experience that can serve as an example.

How does Slovenia celebrate its national day, and what does it symbolize for its people?

"A national holiday is always a significant event because in 1991, after centuries, we established our own state. We are very proud of this, and we commemorate it every year as a grand event with a major celebration in Ljubljana. Similar celebrations are held at our diplomatic and consular missions abroad. Our population is relatively small, just over two million, so this is how we mark our Statehood Day."

How would you assess the current relationship between Serbia and Slovenia, and what are its key elements?

"I believe the relations between Serbia and Slovenia are excellent. Cooperation on a political level is good, and it’s equally strong in areas such as the economy and culture, as well as education, among others. We may hold differing views on some global issues, but that does not affect our political collaboration, and I think this will continue to be the case moving forward."

Which areas of cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia are the strongest and is there room for improvement?

"There’s room for improvement across the board. While our relations are good, there’s always potential for further progress. Where could we do more? Certainly in the economic sphere! We exchange around two billion euros annually, but there are no limits or boundaries to this potential. Our companies have a significant presence in the Serbian market, and Serbian investments in Slovenia are growing. We would like to see even more of this. This is undoubtedly an area with considerable untapped potential. I hope that, after many years, we will hold a joint session of the two governments, as such meetings lay the groundwork for further cooperation."

What could Serbia learn from Slovenia in terms of environmental protection and sustainable development?

"We have achieved a lot in this area over the past 20–30 years. Personally, I follow these matters closely and observe that Slovenians have a strong awareness of environmental issues—something that may be less prevalent here. It’s important for individuals to understand what the environment means for their lives. This could be something Serbia could learn from us. I believe the EU laws that Serbia will gradually adopt as it progresses toward EU membership will naturally address these issues."