News

"After three years of blatant violations of international law, Russian aggression must come to an end. A ceasefire must be achieved, along with adequate security guarantees for Ukraine. Slovenia remains committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and both Ukraine and EU Member States must engage in negotiations," emphasised the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, on the third anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"In recent days, we have seen numerous proposals aimed at achieving lasting peace in Europe. Slovenia has been providing unwavering and heartfelt support to Ukraine since the very first day of Russia's aggression, and we are rightfully proud of this.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is on her first visit to northern Europe, where she confirmed the positive relations between the two countries and discussed with her counterparts the possibilities and opportunities for strengthening cooperation. She also discussed the situation in Ukraine with the Finnish President and Foreign Minister.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Taran, who is concluding his term in Slovenia, at a farewell meeting.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Ministers discussed continued support for Ukraine, the situation in Georgia and the Middle East, with a focus on Syria.

At the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon stressed the importance of this forum and the need to ensure the functioning of the OSCE, including stable funding. The main topic of discussion at the Malta meeting was Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. The discussions focused on Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as on key strategic priorities as NATO marks its 75th anniversary this year. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs met and held their first consultations with the new Secretary General, Mark Rutte.

In November, as the presidency of the UN Security Council was held by the United Kingdom, Slovenia co-sponsored two briefings, one on the denuclearisation of North Korea and the other on imminent famine in Gaza. State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, where he called for the Security Council to take more decisive action on the conflicts..

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with the wife of the President of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko. The meeting took place on the day when Ukraine marks a grim milestone of 1000 days since Russia has started its war of aggression against Ukraine.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič met with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko. They focused on Slovenia’s continued support for Ukraine, cooperation in the framework of humanitarian and development assistance, economic cooperation and reconstruction of Ukraine.

Yesterday, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended high-level meetings on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council. On behalf of Slovenia, he called for more decisive action by the Security Council and respect for international and human rights law.

Minister Tanja Fajon attended the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired for the last time by High Representative Josep Borrell. Ministers discussed the war in Ukraine, Georgia, EU-US relations, the situation in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Minister Fajon also briefed ministers on her recent visit to Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

State Secretary Marko Štucin visited Ukraine, engaging in discussions with representatives of the Ukrainian Government and visiting sites affected by the recent aggression. In Borodyanka and Moshchun, he witnessed the severe consequences of the conflict, while in Bucha, he paid tribute to the victims of Russian aggression at the memorial wall.

In October, under the Swiss presidency of the UN Security Council, discussions were focused on Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine and Haiti. Two briefings were convened at Slovenia's request, one together with Algeria on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and another with the US on Ukraine. State Secretary Melita Gabrič took part in the open debate on women, peace and security.

The Ministry welcomes the European Commission’s Enlargement Package, which provides assessments of the progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans, the Eastern trio and Turkey on their path towards the EU. The package contains a comprehensive analysis of each country's reform efforts and plays a key role in monitoring and promoting the countries' progress and strengthening their European perspective.

On the second day of his official visit to Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the European Council meeting. The summit's agenda included Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, the escalating crisis in the Middle East, a review of the comprehensive approach to migration, the competitiveness of the European market, and specific foreign policy issues.

The Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 is taking place today and tomorrow in Lausanne under the auspices of the Swiss and Ukrainian governments. The event, opened by Swiss President Viola Amherd and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, brings together high-level representatives from governments, international organisations and experts from around the world to strengthen cooperation in humanitarian mine action.

Minister Tanja Fajon took part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The main topics on the agenda were Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Middle East. On the margins of the meeting, the EU foreign ministers met informally with their British counterpart David Lammy. Other current foreign policy issues – Moldova, Georgia, Sudan, Somalia, Venezuela and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan – were also discussed.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič has signed an agreement with the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, to provide 500,000 euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, consisting of medicines and medical equipment.

"It is a pleasure for us to welcome the children from the Khmelnytsky region to Slovenia and we hope that they will be able to regain their strength and cheer up in the company of their peers before they return home," said State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Dr Melita Gabrič on the occasion of her visit to 50 Ukrainian children receiving psychosocial rehabilitation in Strunjan.