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Minister Tanja Fajon participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the current situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Iran, Israel and Gaza, Russian aggression against Ukraine, China and European security. The Minister also presented the joint contribution of the MED9 Group towards the preparation of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which had been led by Slovenia.

Minister Tanja Fajon, in her capacity as Chair of the MED9 Group, hosted the MED9 foreign ministers' working dinner. The ministers discussed the recent developments in the wider Middle East region and the joint contribution of MED9 member states to the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which will be presented by the European Commission in autumn 2025. This is only the second meeting in the MED9 foreign ministers' format.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in an extraordinary informal EU foreign ministers meeting by video conference to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly in light of the recent escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran.
"Together, we must call for an immediate end to military conflict and for the protection of civilians. Respect for the UN Charter is an absolute obligation for all States."

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting. European Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed the agenda for the European Council meeting in June and the proposal of including Catalan, Basque and Galician in the regulation governing the EU's language regime. The Council also held a hearing with Hungary regarding its adherence to the EU’s fundamental values, as well as the annual country-specific discussion on rule of law, covering Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and Belgium.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in its Development configuration, focusing on financing for development, EU-Africa relations and the EU's external action post-2027. She called highlighted a joint letter by 16 EU Member States addressed to the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, calling for an enhanced role for SMEs within the Global Gateway strategy.

Minister Tanja Fajon participated in the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting. In the discussion on peace, security and governance, she highlighted: "Stability and peace can only be achieved by working together – through coordinated action and a united voice. In Slovenia, we are actively working on strengthening cooperation with African countries." The Ministerial Meeting is held for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine.

At the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Minister Tanja Fajon emphasized that "business as usual" with the Israeli government, which is bombing hospitals, destroying schools and turning refugee camps into dust, is no longer possible: "As humans, we must ask ourselves how long we will continue to watch the catastrophe in Gaza unfold before our eyes." The ministers also discussed the peace negotiations in Ukraine and the situation in Syria.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the fourth European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels. In her speech, she emphasized that Slovenia has tripled its humanitarian aid since 2021 and that the EU must remain a leader in this field. She welcomed the joint announcement by the EU and its Member States to disburse EUR 5.5 billion in humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable in 2025

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C) is proud to announce its collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to host the region’s first Cyber Capacity Building Workshop on 19-20 May 2025 in Podgorica. This high-level gathering will convene global experts and regional stakeholders to strengthen the Western Balkans’ cybersecurity resilience through two critical streams: addressing the cyber talent shortage and enhancing collaborative strategies against cybercrime.

Every year on Europe Day, we commemorate the signing of the historic Schuman Declaration which, on 9 May 1950, laid the foundations for today's European Union. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War – a milestone that should serve as a reminder that peace is worth every effort.

At the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Minister Tanja Fajon called for more decisive action to bring about a ceasefire and a lasting and just peace in Ukraine, and for the return of more than 19,000 abducted Ukrainian children: “These are war crimes and clear violations of international law. This must remain a humanitarian priority and part of the peace negotiations.”

Warsaw hosted an informal meeting of directors-general responsible for development cooperation and humanitarian aid in EU Member States, which was attended by Ambassador Edvin Skrt, Director-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The future global role of the EU as a major donor of ODA was at the centre of the debate.

Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, concluded a three-day visit to Benin and Togo on behalf of the EU High Representative. In the Togolese capital, she assured the country’s senior officials that the EU’s partnership with this West African coastal state remains crucial for ensuring regional security and stability.

At the invitation of the Polish Presidency, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended an informal meeting of European affairs ministers in Warsaw. The members of the General Affairs Council discussed the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, the impact of hybrid threats on the enlargement process and the strengthening of Europe's civilian and military preparedness.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, where she, on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Spain, commended the Albanian government for the progress in the EU enlargement process achieved within a short timeframe. She underscored that this success represents an important step forward not only for Albania but also for the European Union as a whole. She welcomed Albania’s progress and the opening of negotiations on a new cluster.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, where Montenegro provisionally closed three negotiating chapters. Speaking on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Italy, Minister Fajon commended Montenegro's progress on its European path, expressing hope that the country will sustain this momentum and become the next EU member state.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Ministers discussed continued support for Ukraine, the situation in Georgia and the Middle East, with a focus on Syria.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received in Ljubljana Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, and Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, as part of the second meeting of the so-called Trilateral.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič attended the 10th MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome. The conference is one of the main platforms for high-level dialogue on topical issues in the Mediterranean, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and beyond.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob, upon the confirmation of the new European Commission and the election of Marta Kos as European Commissioner, stated: