State Secretary Grašič at the EU General Affairs Council meeting

The EU General Affairs Council also held a hearing with Hungary under Article 7(1) of the EU Treaty regarding the rule of law situation in the country.

During the discussion on preparations for the European Council meeting on 23 October 2025, State Secretary Grašič emphasised the importance of continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Slovenia supports all efforts to achieve a ceasefire and end the war in Ukraine, based on international law and respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, leading to a just and lasting peace. Ukraine also remains at the heart of European security efforts and the future development of the defence industry. As regards European defence and security, Slovenia supports a comprehensive approach and emphasises the importance of engaging small and medium-sized enterprises.

With regard to the recent agreement to end the war in Gaza, the State Secretary stressed that consistent respect for, and implementation of, all phases of the agreement, as well as refraining from any actions that could jeopardise it, are crucial. Until verifiable and lasting progress is achieved on the ground, Slovenia will continue to support appropriate EU measures and work together with the EU and its partners towards comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The State Secretary said that EU unity, commitment to peace, humanitarian access and accountability for violations were also the central themes of the recent MED9 summit in Slovenia – a meeting of leaders of Mediterranean EU member states, which was also attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan.

As part of efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy, Slovenia highlights the importance of a strong single market and the need for the EU to build on the findings of the reports by Draghi and Letta. Slovenia calls on the European Commission to remain ambitious in its green transition in order to boost investment and innovation and ensure a just transition for all Europeans.

The State Secretary supported the inclusion of housing policy on the agenda of EU leaders, as this is one of the key priorities of the Slovenian government. Like many other member states, Slovenia is facing a housing crisis characterised by rising prices and a shortage of affordable housing. Therefore, it welcomes European measures that would support planned national measures.

With regard to the European Commission's proposal for a Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, Slovenia underlines that the flexibility of the European budget in responding to unforeseen crisis situations is of vital importance – as demonstrated by the devastating floods in Slovenia in 2023, where the EU showed true solidarity. However, all this must be balanced with predictability for beneficiaries and national administrations implementing the budget. Simplification of rules must be a guiding principle of the new Multiannual Financial Framework.

The European Competitiveness Fund must focus on strengthening industrial competitiveness in a balanced way – across industrial sectors and geographical regions. At the same time, respect for European values and the rule of law form the basis of European integration. This is why Slovenia supports conditionality mechanisms and upholding the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The State Secretary emphasised respect for the EU’s fundamental values EU and supported the continuation of the procedure as an opportunity for open dialogue with Hungary. Slovenia is committed to resolving outstanding issues in accordance with EU principles, while respecting national sovereignty. The continuous monitoring of judicial independence, media pluralism, anti-corruption measures and fundamental rights remains crucial. A key part of this commitment is our support for the role of international courts and organisations in promoting global justice.

The ministers for European affairs also took note of a report on the state of play of the implementation of legislative packages aimed at simplifying legislation. During a working lunch, the ministers held an informal discussion on preparations for the European Democracy Shield.

Under "Other Items", State Secretary Neva Grašič and Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm reported on their recent joint visit to the Western Balkans region. State Secretary Grašič underscored that, given the current geopolitical shifts, Slovenia is committed to ensuring that peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans remain a priority for the EU agenda, stressing that close cooperation and connectivity in the fields of energy, environmental protection and digitalisation are key to accelerating the region's development and its EU integration. Both reiterated their support for the initiative to use qualified majority voting (QMV) in the intermediate steps of the enlargement process, which could accelerate the EU's enlargement policy.