Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concludes the political part of her visit to China after meeting with Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji. She is accompanied by a large economic delegation, so the final leg of her Asia tour will focus on economic diplomacy.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon has begun an official visit to China. She is first stopping in Beijing and later in Shanghai. The four-day visit will focus on political dialogue, both bilateral and in the UN Security Council, strengthening economic cooperation and showcasing Slovenia's cultural diplomacy.

State Secretary Marko Štucin, on behalf of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, participated in an extraordinary videoconference meeting of EU foreign ministers on the current developments in the Middle East. The meeting was convened by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, following Iran's attack on Israel.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is concluding her visit to Japan. On the second day, she met with Kazuchiko Iwata, Japan's Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as representatives of Japan's largest business federation Keidanren, namely the CEO of Hitachi Corporation Toshiaki Higashihara and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SMBC, Japan's second largest bank.

In Japan, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in the UN Security Council, particularly in view of the many conflicts that require decisive action by the international community. On the first day of her visit to Tokyo, Minister Fajon addressed the Japan-Slovenia Business Council and gave a lecture at Keio University.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic attended the International humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries in Paris, organised by France, Germany and the European Union. Addressing representatives from some 60 countries, Ms Štiglic stressed the need to protect civilians and allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Call for Palestine petition, Dr Rudi Rizman, the first signatory, as well as Aurelio Juri, Dr Spomenka Hribar, Dr Danijel Rebolj, Dr Primož Šterbenc and Dr Maja Breznik. They exchanged views on the war in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East and the wider region.

The 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted two resolutions on the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and on the rights of minorities, which Slovenia had proposed/filed jointly with two groups of countries.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted the Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Marilena Raouna, for consultations. They reviewed bilateral relations and talked about Slovenia's experience in preparing for the EU Council Presidency in 2021, as well as topical European issues such as EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, EU institutional reforms and EU-Türkiye relations, including the Cyprus issue and migration.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Marko Štucin received Gabriel Hribar, President of the Unity List, the umbrella party of the Slovenian national minority in Austria, and Rudi Vouk, President of the Association of Slovenian Lawyers in Carinthia. They discussed the situation of the Slovenian minority in Austria and the petition on the inadequate implementation of minority rights.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in a two-day meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels, which focused on NATO’s 75th anniversary, preparations for the Washington Summit in July, support for Ukraine and strengthening cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. She underlined the importance of unity among allies on key strategic issues.

As part of the presentation of economic diplomacy, State Secretary Marko Štucin and representatives of the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy visited the Savinja region to present to local companies how economic diplomacy can help Slovenian companies to internationalise their business.

Slovenia is concluding its third month in the Security Council. During the presidency of Japan, the month was marked by the adoption of a resolution on Gaza, showcasing the leading role of the 10 elected members in peace efforts. Japan organized open debates on the working methods of the UN Security Council and the role of women in conflict prevention.

On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Slovenia became a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after successfully depositing its Instrument of Accession in Washington. By joining this important political-military alliance, Slovenia achieved one of the main foreign policy and defence-military objectives it set itself at the time of its independence in 1991. This historic milestone was celebrated yesterday with a high-level meeting, panel discussions and a national ceremony at the Brdo Congress Centre.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received an official visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Filip Ivanović. They confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the economy. They focused on Montenegro's progress towards EU accession and the current situation in the Western Balkans.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of the informal Central 5 group, with the participation of Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Péter Szijjárto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, and Juraj Blanár Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia.

During her working visit to Sarajevo, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon expressed contentment with the European Council's decision to initiate accession negotiations between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the EU. She reaffirmed Slovenia's steadfast support for BiH's reform efforts.

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, co-chaired the 5th session of the Slovenia-Friuli Venezia Giulia Joint Committee in Trieste, together with the President of the Region, Massimiliano Fedriga. Minister Fajon underlined that this type of cooperation contributes to the improvement and diversification of bilateral relations between Slovenia and Italy and is also of great importance for the two minorities.

At the invitation of Landry Riba Mandicó, Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Principality of Andorra, State Secretary Marko Štucin held the first political consultations in the history of the two countries in Andorra la Vella. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and current European and foreign policy issues.

On the 12th International Francophonie Day, Ljubljana will host the 12th Francophone Film Festival showcasing the films produced in Slovenia, Belgium, France, Canada and Switzerland. In addition to promoting the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity, member states of the International Organisation of La Francophonie share a commitment to peace, human rights, democracy and sustainable development.