Prime Minister Janez Janša announced during a New York media appearance that United States President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to visit Slovenia. The two leaders met during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Janša highlighted the nations’ shared diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Janez Janša is currently leading the Slovenian delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York according to reporting from Delo. Alongside his official diplomatic schedule, the prime minister disclosed a major upcoming visit during an interview on American television.
Janša appeared on the conservative network Newsmax to discuss international relations, European security, and bilateral ties between Ljubljana and Washington as detailed in coverage by Siol. During the broadcast, the prime minister revealed that he had personally invited the U.S. president to travel to Slovenia following a brief encounter at a high-level reception.
The White House Reception and the Personal Invitation
The diplomatic exchange took place against the backdrop of traditional UN General Assembly events. On Tuesday evening, Janša and his wife, Urška Bačovnik Janša, attended a reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for visiting heads of delegation noted by RTVSLO. The gathering brought together world leaders ahead of the general debate.
Speaking to the American news network, Janša emphasized the unique nature of the diplomatic partnership reported Svet24, noting that the U.S. president is well acquainted with the country because the First Lady originates from there. The government’s official communications channels and the prime minister’s social media accounts subsequently confirmed the commitment made during their meeting.
Slovenia is a wonderful country, so you are welcome to visit. Yesterday evening, when we spoke at the reception, I invited President Trump to visit Slovenia. Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia, via Vlada RS and Svet24
Historical Precedents for U.S. Presidential Visits
Should the scheduled trip materialize, it would mark a rare milestone in diplomatic history. Only two sitting U.S. presidents have officially visited independent Slovenia according to historical records compiled by Svet24.
- Bill Clinton: Visited Ljubljana on June 21, 1999, meeting with Milan Kučan and Janez Drnovšek before addressing a large crowd on Congress Square.
- George W. Bush: Arrived on June 16, 2001, to hold his first bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Brdo pri Kranju.
Donald Trump previously visited the country, but strictly in a private capacity prior to assuming public office. In July 2002, he traveled to Brnik alongside Melania to meet her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, before dining on Lake Bled as documented by Delo. In a later media interview, Trump lightheartedly estimated that his prior stay lasted roughly 13 minutes.
United Nations Agenda and Community Engagements
Beyond bilateral discussions with American leadership, Janša’s New York schedule centers on multilateral diplomacy. The prime minister’s itinerary includes addressing the General Assembly highlighted by Dnevnik, where Slovenia’s delegation plans to prioritize adherence to the UN Charter, international law, and effective conflict prevention mechanisms.
Ahead of his formal speech to the assembly, the prime minister participated in the sixth summit of the Crimea Platform to express continued support for Ukraine reported Delo and attended a conference led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Siol. Urška Bačovnik Janša also engaged in parallel programming through the First Lady’s Fostering the Future Together
initiative, which focuses on expanding children’s access to education and technology. Concluding his official visit through Friday, Janša is scheduled to meet with members of the Slovenian-American community at the Church of St. Cyril in New York.
