The Slovenian Government has recently opened its embassy in Addis Ababa, the capital of Africa. The embassy has been undertaking various activities since its opening. Thus, The Ethiopian Herald has lately sat with the country’s Ambassador, Kristina Radej, to discuss some of the issues regarding the two nations’ partnership.
- Being one of the youngest European countries to open its embassy in Addis Ababa last November, what major activities would you like to achieve?
The opening of the Embassy last November is a significant milestone, not only for bilateral relations between Slovenia and Ethiopia but also for the former’s presence on the African continent. Our plan is that the Embassy in Addis Ababa becomes the first development Embassy in our diplomatic network. We wish to build a strong development partnership with Ethiopia and the African Union. A new Embassy also enables us to explore new opportunities for collaboration, strengthening political, business and people-to-people ties. We wish to bring people and businesses of Slovenia and Ethiopia closer together, and enhance mutual understanding.
- During the 50 years of EU-Ethiopia partnership, you said that Slovenia is working to make Ethiopia its hub to reach out to other African nations. How do you plan to achieve this?
The Embassy in Addis Ababa is Slovenia’s first Embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Embassy is also accredited to the African Union and will soon be accredited to Kenya, too. We want the Embassy to grow into a focal point that will connect Slovenia with Africa and will deepen our understanding of the region and vice-versa. Addis Ababa as a diplomatic and multilateral hub hosts all African states, the African Union, and numbers of the UN agencies. Our presence here is of great importance for Slovenian diplomacy, our bilateral and multilateral engagements, and our business.
- Regarding tourism and economic development, can you share your nation’s success stories that Ethiopia can draw a lesson from?
When it comes to economic development, Slovenia and its business have always been very export oriented and a strong supporter of regional integration. For instance, the EU membership in 2004 provided Slovenia access to a larger market, increased foreign investment, and funding for infrastructure projects, all of which stimulated economic growth and resilience. In our experience, regional cooperation and connectivity is a key for economic development, growth, and stability. I am pleased to observe the current process of Ethiopia’s home-grown reforms and looking forward to seeing its results.
Regarding tourism, Slovenia decided to develop boutique experiences instead of mass tourism. As a geographically small country with a unique variety of landscapes, we wish to offer a one-of-a-kind tourism experience, marked by unspoiled nature, great variety of cultural influences, top cuisine, and hospitable people. Slovenia is also one of the world’s safest and greenest countries. Protection of the environment and natural resources is a very important priority for Slovenia, too.
- As Ethiopia faces various challenges, in what ways does Slovenia plan to support the former in this regard?
Slovenia has always been keen to build bridges. We don’t have heavy burdens from the past and that is why we can act as a broker in facilitating mutual understanding. One of the main missions of our Embassy is to strengthen people-to-people contacts between Ethiopia and Slovenia through culture, sport, and education. As already mentioned, as a development embassy we wish to build strong development partnerships with Ethiopia through various projects that support youth and women and promote human development.
- What are the major areas cooperation and your priorities as an ambassador?
One of my key priorities is to strengthen cooperation on agriculture, forestry and especially beekeeping. I see beekeeping not only as a promising economic activity but also a driver for peace and community building. With Slovenia’s expertise and history in beekeeping, we would like to contribute to awareness raising and the importance of bee diplomacy for creating conditions for peace, economic and social prosperity. Bees and other pollinators provide one of the crucial services in our ecosystem – the pollination that makes food production possible. Nearly 90% of plants depend on them for reproduction. Without pollination, there is no food. Even though insignificant at first sight, these tiny animals are carrying out an extremely important work and thus have to be protected at all costs.
Slovenians cultivate a deep respect for nature and have a special connection to bees and beekeeping. Anton Janša, who is known as one the pioneers of modern beekeeping, was a Slovenian. His birthday – 20 May – is since 2018 celebrated as UN World Bee Day.
The importance of beekeeping in Slovenia is reflected in the academic, literary and folklore texts, art and architecture. Scenes of Slovenian cultural heritage can be found painted on beehive panels adorning the idyllic, colourful beehive houses that are scattered around Slovenia. We are, therefore, very proud that beekeeping in Slovenia has been included in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage two years ago.
Today, Slovenia has the most beekeepers per capita in the world. They are committed to produce high-quality bee products and Slovenia is one of the driving forces in the EU battle against food fraud, especially adulterated honey.
Slovenia takes special care in the conservation of the Slovenian autochthonous bee – Carniolan bee, which is distinguished by its gentleness, hard work and resilience. Because of this, Carniolan bees are one of the most widespread breeds in the world.
We are proud that, based on its rich tradition, Slovenian know-how is being shared with our international partners through the Slovenian Beekeeping Academy. What is more, the visitors of our green country can take part in a unique type of sustainable tourism – apitourism, which originates in Slovenia.
The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and our embassies around the world are actively participating in raising awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators. World Bee Day has contributed significantly to the global recognition of the initiative.
In the past few years, Slovenian embassies co-created more than 300 pollinator projects with partners on all continents. We are pleased that pollinators have made their way in school curricula, policy debates, research agendas, business plans and agricultural practices.
In Ethiopia, our Embassy, in cooperation with local partners, started a development project for educating the street children on beekeeping and working on urban beehives.
During the state visit of H.E Dr. Nataša Pirc-Musar, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, we will inaugurate the first Bee Observatory in Peacock Park, in the City Centre. With that, we will launch the partnership between Slovenia in Ethiopia in transformation of the Addis Ababa to Green and Bees friendly City with introducing urban beekeeping and life of the bees inside of the hives to the public.
We have to bring beekeeping to the cities; we have to encourage the young population to preserve the tradition and cherish the deep connection of Ethiopian people with the bees.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 20 MAY 2025
