Minister Kajzer in Gdańsk: Security is the foundation of recovery and the future of Ukraine is in the EU

Speaking on the panel titled ‘Defending Western values and the future through building back better’, Minister Kajzer emphasised the importance of continuing to provide Ukraine with full support and all-round assistance, as it has been the victim of Russian aggression for over four years. “We are in Gdańsk because Ukraine’s future is also the future of European security. Slovenia chose freedom and democracy 35 years ago. At that time, we heard the EU’s message: You are not alone. Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, the same message was delivered to Kyiv by the then and current Slovenian Prime Minister, Janez Janša, alongside the prime ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic. This message is just as relevant today.”

Since the start of the Russian aggression, Slovenia has provided Ukraine with military, humanitarian and development aid. The humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people remain at an all-time high, as systematic attacks on critical infrastructure continue, damaging energy networks, residential buildings, schools, healthcare institutions and transport infrastructure.
Senior representatives of the United Kingdom, the USA, Sweden, NATO, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also participated in the panel discussion.

On the margins of the conference, Minister Kajzer attended the signing of agreements for the construction of three civil protection shelters in the Kharkiv region, which will be co-financed by Slovenia. At the same time, he stated that Slovenia would be joining the International Civil Protection Shelter Coalition for Ukraine, founded in May 2025 by Finland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belgium, Sweden and Ireland. He pointed out: “During war, shelters are not only places where people find refuge, but also provide safety, dignity and hope.”

Furthermore, Slovenia will encourage its businesses to actively participate in the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine, particularly in the areas of sustainable infrastructure, water management, energy efficiency, digital solutions and advanced manufacturing. “The participation of the private sector in the reconstruction benefits not only Ukraine, but also strengthens economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts,” Minister Kajzer added.

On the sidelines of the conference, the minister held several bilateral meetings. Among others, he met with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachko. They exchanged views on the current situation in Ukraine, its EU approximation process and the importance of involving the economies of EU Member States in the country’s reconstruction. Minister Kajzer congratulated Minister Kachko on the opening of the first negotiation cluster, emphasising that Ukraine belongs in the EU.

He also spoke with Nemanja Starović, the Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Serbia. They discussed the bilateral relations between Slovenia and Serbia and EU enlargement. Minister Starović thanked Slovenia for prioritising EU enlargement to the Western Balkans and for all its help and support to Serbia on its path towards the EU.