News

At the ministerial meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans group and the Western Balkan countries in Bratislava, Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon reiterated her country's support for EU enlargement. She also called on EU countries that have not yet endorsed the Slovenian-German proposal for qualified majority voting on certain procedural steps in the enlargement process to do so.

Slovenia’s two-year term on the Executive Council began on 12 May 2026. At the 30th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, held in November 2025, Slovenia received 122 votes, the highest number among candidates from the Eastern European Group. “This is recognition of Slovenia’s active and responsible role in the international community,” emphasised Minister Fajon.

At the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, Minister Tanja Fajon stressed that the Union must maintain a visible and active engagement in the Western Balkans and that enlargement must remain a political priority. She also expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East and reaffirmed Slovenia’s position that the EU and its partners must continue to exert pressure on Russia, as there are no indications that it is prepared to end its aggression against Ukraine.

State Secretary Neva Grašič attended an informal meeting of EU ministers and state secretaries for European affairs in Lefkosia. The agenda, drawn up by the Cyprus Presidency, included the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is also regularly discussed at General Affairs Council meetings. The focus was on how to respond to major crises, as set out in the proposal for the next MFF.

Today, we celebrate both Europe Day and the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today. In response to war and destructive nationalism, European states have achieved lasting
peace and prosperity by gradually deepening their cooperation. Today, we celebrate Europe as a beacon of a better future.

With the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) approaching next year, preparations to bring elevate cooperation to a comprehensive strategic level are at the forefront of the meeting between the EU and ASEAN foreign ministers. Slovenia plans to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation this year, thereby strengthening its cooperation with this dynamic region amid geopolitical tensions.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. Ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the situations in the Middle East, the South Caucasus and Sudan. Minister Fajon drew particular attention to Israel’s ongoing human rights violations, urging the EU to take more decisive action.

On 16 April 2026, the Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana hosted a trilateral conference between Slovenia, Austria and Italy entitled Protecting Civilians and Civilian Infrastructure under International Humanitarian Law. The event was attended by more than fifty representatives of state institutions, the Slovenian, Austrian and Italian Red Cross, academia and student groups.

In 2025, Slovenia allocated 0.22% of its gross national income (GNI) to official development assistance (ODA). Together with EU funds earmarked for this purpose, it allocated just under 152 million euros for humanitarian aid and development cooperation projects and programmes. This is 0.7% lower than in 2024, reflecting a 0.01 percentage point decrease as a share of GNI.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the MED9 Informal Ministerial Meeting in Split to discuss security and cooperation in the Mediterranean. “The situation in the Middle East affects us all. We must insist on diplomacy and respect for the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, which must apply to everyone,” said Minister Fajon.

Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which are causing numerous civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, must stop. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and maximum restraint by all parties. Full respect for international law, in particular international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel is essential.

In the context of growing geopolitical tensions and security priorities, Minister Tanja Fajon discussed the challenges and future orientations in official development assistance with members of the Expert Council for Development Cooperation.

The Republic of Slovenia welcomes the agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on a ceasefire and the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for safe navigation. This step represents an important opportunity to de-escalate tensions and reduce risks to regional and global security, particularly in the areas of energy and food stability.

The theme of this year’s World Health Day is Together for health. Stand with science. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has joined the calls to strengthen scientific collaboration in order to protect the health of people, animals, plants and the planet. It supports efforts to strengthen global health and food security, as well as to integrate health considerations into scientific, economic and development cooperation.

At the launch of new emergency humanitarian response projects that Caritas Slovenia will implement in 2026 with financial support from the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič met with Peter Tomažič, Secretary General of Caritas Slovenia.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon joined a virtual ministerial meeting convened by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in response to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign ministers from more than 40 countries, spanning all continents, primarily discussed diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe reopening of the Strait to shipping traffic.

Slovenia firmly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. It is committed to its abolition globally. The approval by the Israeli Parliament of a bill enabling capital punishment represents a step back from Israel’s long-standing de facto moratorium.

Minister Tanja Fajon attended an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv. The visit, which took place four years after the liberation of Bucha, underscored continued support for and solidarity with Ukraine. The discussions focused primarily on holding Russia accountable for its crimes, assessing the situation on the ground and supporting peace efforts.

The 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has ended. This was Slovenia's first session as a member of the HRC since rejoining. Despite the current global tensions, the session yielded significant results, including discussions on the implementation of human rights in individual countries and the protection of children in armed conflict.

The ninth Latin America and Caribbean Days (LAC Days) continued with a visit to the Port of Koper, where a high-level delegation from Latin American and Caribbean countries toured the port and met with the management and President of the Management Board Nevenka Kržan.