Minister Fajon on first visit of the Palestinian Foreign Minister: Let peace speak in Gaza instead of weapons
Minister Fajon hosted the Palestinian Authority's State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. | Author STA
The main focus of their meeting was the situation in Palestine and in the Middle East. Minister Fajon emphasised that Slovenia was extremely shaken by the news on the confirmed famine in Gaza: “This is a new cycle of hell for the people of Gaza. This is a human-made situation, which could be avoided completely, and yet people are dying of starvation. Starvation as a means of exhaustion in war is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. More than 100 children have died of starvation. If significantly more humanitarian aid does not reach Gaza, over 43,000 children will be at risk of death from malnutrition in the upcoming year. Such figures should set off alarm bells in the international community and unfortunately show us that we have failed the test of humanity." The Palestinian minister thanked Slovenia for its humanitarian aid, which has increased significantly over the past two years. Since October 2023, Slovenia has provided nearly €6 million in aid to Palestine through international humanitarian organisations. We will continue to provide aid to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and through Jordan. We will work to bring another group of children from Gaza to the Soča Rehabilitation Institute for treatment.
Minister Fajon assured Minister Aghabekian Shahin that Slovenia will continue to work at all levels to mitigate the unbearable situation in Gaza, draw attention to it and create pressure in the international community to improve the situation. “Slovenia is active both in the EU as well as in the UN Security Council. As the EU has been unable to agree on concrete measures, Slovenia decided to adopt three sets of measures at the national level: two Israeli ministers have been declared personae non gratae; a ban on import, export, and transit of arms to and from Israel has been issued; and the first steps were taken toward banning the import of goods originating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” Minister Fajon also indicated that Slovenia is in favour of joining South Africa’s case before the International Court of Justice.
The ministers agreed that in the future, Gaza can be legitimately managed and governed only by a representative of the Palestinian authorities. Minister Fajon assured Minister Aghabekian Shahin that Slovenia is willing to help Palestine in the field of public administration and reiterated its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the provision of adequate and unimpeded humanitarian access and the realisation of the two-state solution – Israel and Palestine.
After the talks, the ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments on the development of relations between the two countries. It is an important step following Slovenia’s recognition of Palestine, which sets up a formal framework for a systematic dialogue, regular political consultations and the development of practical cooperation. During the visit, Minister Fajon also announced that Slovenia will actively work to achieve progress regarding scholarships for Palestinian students. “Along with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, we will search for solutions to systemically regulate this area to enable more young Palestinians to study in Slovenia."