News

The 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council opens today in Geneva. Slovenia will actively participate in the discussions and negotiations on the initiatives and will also table a resolution on a global agenda for human rights education on behalf of its regional group. Together with Argentina and Brazil, Slovenia will also propose extending the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon addressed the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the joint ministerial presentation of the achievements of the 100 days of government of Robert Golob. She outlined the Government's achievements in the field of foreign policy and the plans for the future of Slovenian diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon took part in the Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo. In her opening address, she underlined the importance of cooperation and dialogue when facing key global challenges and went on to present to the ministers her vision for Slovenia's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2024–2025 term. She also held a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the event.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the first regional Business-to-Diplomacy (B2D) NET 0 event in Maribor, focusing on the achievement of zero emission targets. In his opening address, he said that Slovenia is one of the most proactive countries at the international level, advocating an ambitious environmental agenda and a coordinated multilateral approach.

State Secretary Marko Štucin took part in the conference in Brdo pri Kranju to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ljubljana Guidelines of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). “The guidelines addressing the new global trends of growing inequalities are as relevant today as they were ten years ago,” the state secretary emphasised in his address.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich) in Prague which focused mainly on the proposal to suspend EU visas for Russian citizens in response to the Russia’s aggression on Ukraine. The foreign ministers supported the full suspension of the agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of visa procedures for Russian citizens.

State Secretary Marko Štucin spoke at one of the panels on the future of the EU at the 17th Bled Strategic Forum, highlighting the need to further strengthen the Union’s resilience in the light of current challenges and advocating for a stable and secure EU based on shared values.

The 17th Bled Strategic Forum, the main multilateral event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reached its conclusion today. The Forum brought together 2,000 participants, more than 160 panellists and speakers from around the world, four heads of State and government, 15 foreign ministers, the President of the European Commission and other high-level representatives of European and international institutions, as well as representatives of business, academia and civil society.

The 17th Bled Strategic Forum, entitled "The Rule of Power or the Power of Rules?", opened today with addresses by its host, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tanja Fajon, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The discussions at this year's Forum will centre on the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the crisis of multilateralism, climate change and the green agenda, and digitisation and the fight against disinformation.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar met with US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison and Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar responsible for the Western Balkans.

Slovenia attended the 5th session of the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, where the participating countries made remarkable progress in most chapters of the prospective agreement.

Today we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Türkiye.

At the 60th AGRA International Agricultural and Food Fair in Gornja Radgona, the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-organised a business event in cooperation with Pomurski sejem d. o. o. and the Regional Development Agency for Podravje – Maribor.

At the invitation of Austrian Federal Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the European Forum Alpbach, which is taking place in Tyrol under the title New Europe.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a village to support a person in a humanitarian crisis.” is the slogan of this year’s World Humanitarian Day, which is being observed today. Given the scale of humanitarian crises around the world, World Humanitarian Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of collective efforts to help people affected by humanitarian crises.

Slovenia is participating in the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Today, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon attended a session of the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, which Slovenia joined this July. The Initiative aims to encourage a successful outcome of the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters. “I am proud that Slovenia joined the Stockholm Initiative led by two female foreign ministers, my German colleague Annalena Baerbock and my Swedish counterpart Ann Linde,” stressed minister Fajon.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon attended the opening session of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In her speech, she highlighted the significant contribution the Treaty makes to world peace and safety, especially taking into account the complexity of the security environment marked by various challenges and threats. She advocated the further strengthening of the Treaty through the implementation of its three pillars – disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The resolution passed at the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York declares the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment on a global level.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon paid a working visit to Ukraine, where she met with Ukranian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko and Director of the Ukraine Investment Promotion Office Sergiy Tsivkach. During talks with her hosts, Minister Fajon stressed that Slovenia will continue to support and assist Ukraine, both in coping with the catastrophic consequences of the Russian aggression and in overcoming the obstacles on the path towards EU integration.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, chaired by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The main topics of discussion included the Russian aggression against Ukraine, digital diplomacy, and the relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean.

At the invitation of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the informal meeting of ministers and state secretaries for European affairs in Prague. Discussing the priorities of the Presidency, the General Affairs Council focused on the EU's continued support to Ukraine, the strengthening of democratic institutions, the role of media plurality and the implementation of the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the Ukraine Accountability Conference in The Hague. The Conference adopted a political declaration in which States pledged further support for efforts to ensure accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine.

At the 8th Government session, Minister Tanja Fajon presented the European Commission's 2022 Rule of Law Report, underlining Slovenia's commitment to follow recommendations listed therein. As the lead ministry on this issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tasked all relevant ministries and authorities with undertaking a thorough review of the report and providing a comprehensive response.

At the invitation of Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjárto, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon took part in a meeting of foreign ministers of five Central European countries (C5) in Budapest.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Slovenian national community in Hungary in Monošter. The meeting was attended by Erika Köleš-Kiss, the Slovenian national community’s advocate in the Hungarian Parliament, Karel Holec, President of the Slovenian Self-Governing Community, and Andrea Kovacs, President of the Union of Slovenians in Hungary.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held a bilateral meeting with his Spanish host Pascual Navarro, Secretary of State for the European Union at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, on the margins of the meeting of Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs of the MED-9 informal group in Madrid.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the meeting of Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs of the MED-9 informal group in Madrid. Participants discussed Mediterranean and topical European issues in the light of the MED-9 Summit to be hosted by Spain in September 2022.

Acting Director-General Ambassador Ksenija Škrilec attended an informal meeting of Directors-General for EU Affairs in Prague, organised by the Czech Republic upon its assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

At the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council from 13 June to 8 July 2022, the discussion focused, as is customary for June, on the rights of women and girls and on discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. In the light of the extremely worrying situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, the EU requested that an urgent debate on this topic be held during the session.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon paid her first visit to neighbouring Croatia. As well as spending time with her host, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, she also met with Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Acting Director-General Ksenija Škrilec and Salvador Rueda, Director General for Integration and Coordination of General Affairs of the European Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, held a videoconference consultation on topical European and regional issues. Their discussion also served as preparation for the planned future meetings of the informal EUMED Group, to be hosted by Spain.

The presentation of the 2022 Economic Survey of Slovenia, prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), took place on Monday at Brdo pri Kranju. The Economic Survey provides a comprehensive picture of the macroeconomic situation in Slovenia, with special attention paid to the topical issue of the digitalisation of society and the economy.

During her first bilateral visit to Berlin, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon met Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Annalena Baerbock. They discussed activities to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on strategic dialogue between their respective countries and signed a joint action plan for 2022–2024. They also talked about the war in Ukraine and cooperation in humanitarian aid projects in the country, EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and climate change.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the NATO Summit in Madrid, accompanied by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, and Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec. Minister Fajon participated in the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers and in the roundtable discussion of women foreign and defence ministers from allied countries on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

The Strategic Council for Foreign Affairs, chaired by Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, held its first meeting in its new composition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia to debate current foreign policy issues. In their discussion on the war in Ukraine, the Council members were joined by invited guests – that is, authors of open letters on Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. Ministers prepared the agenda for the next European Council on 23–24 June 2022, when EU leaders will discuss the situation in Ukraine, the economic situation and the next steps for the Conference on the Future of Europe, and hold a strategic debate on the EU's relations with its partners in Europe.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon attended a regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The main topics on the agenda were the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its impact on food security, Egypt and the Horn of Africa. Prior to the EU Council meeting, at the invitation of Italy and Finland, ministers held an informal meeting with Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Acting Director-General Ksenija Škrilec took part in an informal meeting of directors-general for EU Affairs in Paris hosted by France as the current Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Today, diplomats and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the late Boris Pahor. Many had the honour to meet and work with Mr Pahor in Slovenia, abroad and in European capitals. He presented and shared his testimonies in cooperation with the entire diplomatic network and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is why, as of today, one of the conference rooms at the Ministry will bear his name.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon hosted the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Minister of Immigration and Asylum of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn. Their talks focused on enhancing the excellent and friendly relations between the two countries, strengthening cooperation between the core countries of the EU, enlargement to the Western Balkan countries and the European perspective of Ukraine.

The 50th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHR), which will run from 13 June to 8 July 2022, is getting under way in Geneva. Among the topics in the focus of the session, Slovenia will pay particular attention to issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, human rights, and the environment, and will also react to the worrying human rights situation in individual countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Thessaloniki and held several bilateral meetings on the margins of the event.

For the first time ever, the UN General Assembly elected Slovenia to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Ministry is proud of the successful vote with 176 votes and commends the endeavours of all who played a part in this project.

Acting Director-General for Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation Eva Tomič took part in the first Mediterranean Ministerial Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis via audio-video link. The event was organised by Italy within the scope of G7 to enhance regional activities in the area of safe food supply.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon received Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk, who is paying a visit to Slovenia as a special envoy of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and its European perspective.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg. This was the first bilateral meeting she has hosted since assuming her duties.

Political Director and Director-General for common foreign and security policy Jernej Müller attended the 14th session of the Jordan-EU Association Council in Jordan. The session was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and saw the participation of European Commission Olivér Varhelyi and representatives of EU Member States, including ministers of foreign affairs of Cyprus, Luxembourg, Ireland and Greece.

Today, former Minister Dr Anže Logar handed over the official business to newly appointed Minister Tanja Fajon. Upon taking up her duties, Minister Fajon thanked her predecessor for his work and outlined her vision at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

The campaign “30 Years of Slovenia’s UN Membership” concluded with a virtual round table organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovenian UN Association to discuss the past and the future of the Organization.