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Thirty-one years have passed since the Srebrenica genocide, one of the darkest chapters in shared European history. On the occasion of this anniversary, we pay deep respects to the memory of the more than eight thousand Bosniak men and boys, who were murdered in Srebrenica in July 1995. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the survivors and all who are still searching for the missing.

The Agreement on Succession Issues was signed in Vienna on 29 June 2001, confirming the historic fact that Yugoslavia disintegrated and five sovereign and equal successor states emerged on its territory: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia (then still known as Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, today attended the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, where the leaders of the European Union Member States and the Western Balkan countries discussed the further strengthening of cooperation between the European Union and the region.

On the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, we remember one of the most important milestones in modern European history. The Agreement brought peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina and stability to the entire region. The diplomatic victory over war put an end to the immeasurable suffering endured by the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, participated in the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Berlin Process in Belfast at the invitation of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Today, we commemorate Srebrenica with solemn respect and sorrow. It is a place that has become a symbol of one of the darkest chapters in modern European history. The genocide that took place there three decades ago left an indelible mark on humanity's conscience and reminds us that peace, truth and compassion must never be taken for granted.

Today, we are observing the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. It is a day when we remember the 8,372 victims, and when the wounds of the mothers of Srebrenica and other survivors who lost their loved ones —husbands, sons and brothers — are reopened. Our thoughts are with them in their grief and deep sorrow.

Today, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with three representatives of the Mothers of Srebrenica movement, who are being hosted by the President of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, on their visit to Slovenia. The purpose of the meeting was to reiterate Slovenia's support for the movement and the memory of the Srebrenica genocide in light of this year's 30th anniversary, which will be commemorated on 11 July.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar hosted the Brdo Process Ministerial Meeting. Alongside Minister Poklukar, the meeting was opened by Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, and Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration.

On the margins of the official opening of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025, Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko hosted a working meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the Western Balkans at Villa Vipolže in Goriška Brda. The meeting was also attended by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef.

In November, as the presidency of the UN Security Council was held by the United Kingdom, Slovenia co-sponsored two briefings, one on the denuclearisation of North Korea and the other on imminent famine in Gaza. State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, where he called for the Security Council to take more decisive action on the conflicts..

The Ministry welcomes the European Commission’s Enlargement Package, which provides assessments of the progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans, the Eastern trio and Turkey on their path towards the EU. The package contains a comprehensive analysis of each country's reform efforts and plays a key role in monitoring and promoting the countries' progress and strengthening their European perspective.

More than 5,000 people in the worst-affected municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are still in need of humanitarian aid following the catastrophic floods and mudslides that hit the country in October. The Ministry and its strategic partner for emergency humanitarian aid, Caritas Slovenia, will provide EUR 100,000 in humanitarian aid over the next month.

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the UN Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, presented the latest report on the situation in the country. In his intervention, the State Secretary underlined the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and reiterated that the country’s future lies in the EU.

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 General Affairs Council focused on preparing conclusions for the European Council, where EU leaders will discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine, necessary security and defence measures and the EU's response to the alarming situation in the Middle East. A follow-up to the European Commission's latest report on enlargement, which is crucial for Slovenia, is also planned.

In Sarajevo, State Secretary Marko Štucin met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković and held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Josip Brkić.

In Rome, State Secretary Štucin met with Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between Slovenia and Italy. He also participated in a meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans and presented a joint Slovenian-German initiative to improve the efficiency of decision-making in the enlargement process.

Ambassador Dr Andrej Benedejčič, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to NATO, took part in the visit of the North Atlantic Council to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1-2 February 2024. Led by Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, Allied Ambassadors and Invitee Sweden met with members of the Presidency, the Chairwoman and members of the Council of Ministers, the Foreign and Defence Ministers as well as members of the Collegium of House of Peoples and the House of Representatives of BiH. The programme included discussions with international community actors and civil society.

Prime Minister Golob is attending the December European Council meeting today and tomorrow. On the table are strategic decisions important for the future of the EU: the rapprochement of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European budget.