Between 27 and 29 January, a Slovenian delegation participated in, and co-hosted an informal consultation on the preparatory work for the new international convention on international cooperation in investigations and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, known as the MLA initiative.

Today, State Secretary Matej Marn attended the General Affairs Council. While the participants were informed of the priorities of the Presidency, which is held by Croatia for the first time, the discussions centred mainly on the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau death camp and other Nazi and Fascist concentration camps and persecution and execution sites. Slovenia joins in the Holocaust remembrance, commemoration of war victims and honouring of those who helped the victims of persecution survive. During the war, a great number of Slovenes, Slovene Jews and Roma of both genders were forcibly taken to concentration camps, with many never to return.

Today, a business event was held as part of the series of events for “Business-to-Diplomacy” (B2D) organised by the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the French Embassy and Renault-Revoz at the seat of Renault-Revoz d.d., Novo Mesto.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Miro Cerar, and the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, co-chaired the session of the Economic Internationalisation Council today. The Council acts as a link in the partnership between ministries and business representatives, contributing significantly to the shaping of policies for economic internationalisation and concerted efforts in third markets.

The situation in the Sahel, Libya and climate diplomacy were among the topics on the agenda today at the January Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, attended by Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar.

As part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held on 11–18 January, Minister Cerar took part in the Future Sustainability Summit today. At the panel titled “Technology vs. Policies: What will unlock climate action?” the Minister underlined the importance of a steadfast fight against climate change, which requires a broader economic and social transformation.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar took part in the Extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, convened by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, due to increased tensions in Iraq and Libya.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar called for all possible activities to prevent further escalation of tensions and violence in the Middle East. Slovenia remains a trustworthy member of the Global Coalition against Daesh and continues with its participation in the operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. The next contingent of Slovenian Armed Forces instructors will be deployed to Erbil by 1st February.

On 9 January 2020, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Strategy for the Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) until the end of 2022. The proposal of the Strategy is based on the experience gained during the first nine years of the Slovenia's membership in the OECD, current priorities of the Organization, and interests and the needs of the Republic of Slovenia arising from the national development priorities of the country. The purpose is to make better use of the benefits of Slovenia's membership of the OECD.

Slovenia condemns the Iranian missile attack on Iraqi military bases where the Global Coalition against Daesh forces are stationed at the invitation of the Iraqi government, and calls on all parties involved to refrain from any activities that could lead to further escalation in the region.

Today, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar attended an event organised by the Institute for Strategic Solutions, where the new edition of the Adriatic Journal: Strategic Foresight 2020 was presented. Prior to the event, Minister Cerar held an informal meeting with the former Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Karin Kneissl, where they discussed the formation of the new Austrian government, the cooperation between the two countries in the year of neighbourly dialogue, the regional situation and the state of affairs in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses grave concern over the heightening of tensions between the US and Iran. It condemns the recent acts of violence and armed attacks in Iraq, as these may trigger further disturbances engulfing the entire region. The Ministry calls on all parties involved to de-escalate tensions and preserve peace.

The Ministry condemns any acts of violence and armed conflicts witnessed in Iraq over the past weeks. Such actions heighten the risk of tensions escalating in the entire region.

Slovenia joins the European Union in condemning attacks on coalition forces fighting Da’esh in Iraq and shares the EU’s position on the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this acts and calls on Iraqi authorities to guarantee the security of diplomatic missions in the country.

The Slovenian Foreign Ministry condemns the act of vandalism committed by an unknown perpetrator (or perpetrators) against the building of the Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro in Ljubljana.

On behalf of the Slovenian Government, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar attended the CEI Summit in Rome gathering prime ministers of the Central European Initiative Member States. In his remarks, he underscored the CEI’s role in the history of European integration processes and opening up of EU prospects for new members

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 24th session of the Inter-Ministerial Commission on Human Rights, with the participation of Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina. The main item of the agenda was the Universal Periodic Review of the human rights situation in Slovenia, which was held last month in the UN Human Rights Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar is taking part in the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the title Asia and Europe: Together for Effective Multilateralism. During the debate on enhancing the multilateral system and consolidating ASEM partnership on global challenges, he outlined Slovenia’s outlook on multilateralism and its efforts relating to climate change, sustainable development and gender equality.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Madrid on 15–16 December 2019. He met separately with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.