On the 35th anniversary of independence, Minister Kajzer presents recognition awards to Slovenia’s pioneering envoys and early representatives

27. 8. 2026

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

At the 30th Conference of Slovenian Ambassadors and on the 35th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence, Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, presented recognition awards to the Republic of Slovenia’s earliest representatives. These individuals had represented our country abroad even before it gained international recognition. Minister Kajzer thanked them for their role during one of the most crucial periods in Slovenia’s history as a state.

vsi stojijo eden poleg drugega — Minister Tone Kajzer with the award recipients | Author STA

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“With this gathering, the Slovenian diplomatic service wishes to thank you for the work you carried out during the earliest and most sensitive period in our country’s history. You come from different professions, positions and political convictions, but what you all share is a love of our homeland,” Minister Kajzer emphasised in his address.

He also highlighted the lasting significance of their efforts: “At that time, you achieved what many considered unattainable. I hope that today, too, we can come together and work for the good of Slovenia. I believe that we all know how it is done and that we have the capacity to do it.”

Minister Kajzer presented awards to the following recipients (in alphabetical order) in recognition of their dedicated representation of Slovenia during its formation and their contribution to its international recognition:

Dr Božo Cerar
Bojan Grobovšek
Peter Ilgo
Roman Kokalj
Marcel Koprol
Dr Jožef Kunič
Benjamin Lukman
Borut Meršak
Dr Ernest Petrič
Dr Dimitrij Rupel
Dr Karl Smolle
Dr Lojze Sočan
Dr Danilo Turk
Branko Zupanc