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20 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Slovenia and Monaco: Tourism and Sport in Focus

Published:
23.7.2026

20 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Slovenia and Monaco: Tourism and Sport in Focus

Marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Principality of Monaco, a high-level diplomatic and business event was held in Ljubljana on Tuesday, 21 July. The event aimed to deepen cooperation, facilitate the exchange of best practices and identify new opportunities for partnerships between the two countries. The high-level programme also featured a panel on Tourism and Sport, with the participation of MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, MSc, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB).

Tourism and Sport panel with Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Thierry Manni, founder of Monaco-based Stajvelo; and Uroš Mohorič, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia.

The opening session featured addresses by Her Excellency Anne Eastwood, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the Republic of Slovenia; Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco's Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia; and Franjo Bobinac, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Ljubljana. This was followed by a plenary presentation of the economies of Monaco and Slovenia and thematic panels focusing on sustainable development, the energy transition and the environment, tourism and sport, and innovation.

Her Excellency Anne Eastwood, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the Republic of Slovenia; Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia; and Franjo Bobinac, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Ljubljana. Photo: Stane Jeršič.
Her Excellency Anne Eastwood, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the Republic of Slovenia; Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia; and Franjo Bobinac, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Ljubljana. Photo: Stane Jeršič.

Alongside STB Director MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, the Tourism and Sport panel brought together Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Thierry Manni, founder of Monaco-based Stajvelo; and Uroš Mohorič, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia. The discussion was moderated by Martina Gojkošek, Head of Corporate Public Relations at the Slovenian Tourist Board.

MSc. Maja Pak Olaj presented Slovenia's approach to integrating tourism and sport, built around cooperation with top Slovenian athletes, partnerships with major international sporting events and the development of high-quality active tourism experiences. She emphasised that the STB uses Slovenia's sporting excellence to strengthen the country's authentic national story and international visibility while supporting a more balanced and sustainable development of tourism.

She also highlighted the importance of data, digital tools and innovation in managing a modern tourism destination. Among Slovenia's key solutions, she presented the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism and the National Tourism Information Hub (NiST), which support responsible decision-making, effective visitor-flow management and a more balanced seasonal and geographical distribution of tourism.

Tourism and Sport panel with Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Thierry Manni, founder of Monaco-based Stajvelo; and Uroš Mohorič, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia.
Tourism and Sport panel with Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Thierry Manni, founder of Monaco-based Stajvelo; and Uroš Mohorič, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia.

The programme also included a plenary presentation of the economies of Monaco and Slovenia. Three subsequent panels explored sustainable development, the energy transition and the environment, the links between tourism and sport, and innovation. Participants included representatives of government institutions, tourism and sports organisations, chambers of commerce, businesses, foundations, and the innovation and start-up ecosystems of both countries.

The event demonstrated that Slovenia and Monaco share numerous areas of common interest and considerable potential for further cooperation, particularly in sustainability, tourism, sport, business and innovation. The 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations therefore provides a strong foundation for new partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint development initiatives.

Contacts

Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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