Oto Pungartnik, Ambassador

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Travel Advice: COVID-19

As the probability of infection with COVID-19 remains present, Slovenian citizens wishing to travel abroad are advised to follow the news on the spread of the virus, especially on the planned route, to check the conditions of entry into the country of destination, and to comply with local rules. Slovenian citizens returning from abroad are advised to follow the recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ).

Current information on border crossings, measures at the border upon entry into Slovenia and the lists of countries can be found on the special page Border Crossing.

Ambassador Oto Pungartnik holds a graduate degree in political science, specialising in international relations. Since August 2018, he has been Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Arab Emirates. Over his 20-year diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, his foreign service postings included the Embassies in Tokyo (2012–2016) and Moscow (2006–2010), the Slovenian Mission to NATO (2003–2004) and the Embassy in Beijing (2000–2003).

Previously, he served at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia in the EU PHARE programme office for a year (1999). Between 1990 and 1998, he held the positions of Vice-President of the Executive Council and Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Šentjur. His first employment was at the Štore Steel company, where he worked from 1978 to 1989.

He is married to Valerija Pungartnik and is the father of two children.