The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has concluded that, in 2022, the Republic of Slovenia will make a humanitarian contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the amount of EUR 100,000 to assist the people of Ukraine. The contribution will be provided from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. Slovenia has already provided Ukraine with material assistance totalling EUR 163,000.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended the extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The Council discussed the EU’s response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, which undermines the European security order.

Slovenia condemns in the strongest terms the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducts regular coordination with EU member states and international partners. Slovenian citizens currently in Ukraine are advised to leave the country as quickly and safely as possible.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation Timur Eyvazov one more time.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in the regular General Affairs Council session in Brussels. The discussion focused on preparations for the European Council meeting to be held on 24 and 25 March as well as strengthening the EU’s resilience, response capacity and preparedness to future crises. The General Affairs Council also held a hearing on the rule of law in Poland under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union. The members of the Council exchanged views on the activities under the Conference on the Future of Europe.

At the extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), the EU foreign affairs ministers took forward the debate they opened at the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council a day before. The security situation in Eastern Europe was further exacerbated following the decision by Russian President Putin to recognise two self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on 21 February 2022.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) convened by Poland’s Chairmanship of the organisation in response to the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation Putin to recognise the “independence” of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This decision violates international law and the OSCE’s fundamental principles.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar participated in the first Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was hosted by France as part of its Council Presidency programme. The foreign ministers of the EU member states and countries in Southeast Asia explored ways to step up cooperation. The main topics of the Forum were: the security situation, global challenges (climate, the environment, health, the oceans), and connectivity and digital issues.

Slovenia strongly condemns the decision by President Putin to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities. These hostile measures are a flagrant violation of international law and obligations contained in the Minsk agreements, and will not remain without consequences.

Between 18 and 20 February 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended the Munich Security Conference, which was marked by debates on the heightened security situation in and around Ukraine. The highest representatives of states and international organisations were united in expressing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, condemning the actions of the Russian Federation that endangers Ukrainian, European and international security.

Political Director and Director-General for Common Foreign and Security Policy Jernej Müller met with Director-General of the Directorate for Bilateral Relations with European Countries Belevski and Director-General for EU Sejfula in the framework of political consultations between Slovenia and North Macedonia.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated via videolink in a hybrid ministerial meeting on the “Horn of Africa Initiative” organised by Kenya (the chair of the Horn of Africa Initiative) and the European Union in cooperation with the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended the virtual side event “Empowering young people as change-makers in the water sector” organised by Slovenia as part of the Africa-Europe Week.

On the 30th anniversary of Australia’s recognition of Slovenia’s independence and establishment of diplomatic relations, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held a video conference call with Australian Deputy Secretary Katrina Cooper. Their talks focused on current international and bilateral issues.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar met in Riyadh today with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih, and Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed Al Jadaan. In their talks, they focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Saudi Arabia.

At the end of the second phase of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regional programme for Southeast Asia, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan participated in the Ministerial Conference of the OECD and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in Seoul. On the margins of the meeting, he met with Yeo Seung-Bae, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and his Deputy Pornpimpol Kanchanalak.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in the hybrid ministerial meeting of the Media Freedom Coalition (Coalition) via video-conference link.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who visited Slovenia last November. Minister Logar also held a courtesy meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Discussions were centred on enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan met with the Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the German Foreign Ministry Anna Lührmann in Berlin. The main topic of the discussion was the strengthening of bilateral relations in the light of the strategic dialogue between the two countries and the continuation of constructive cooperation on European affairs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended the official ceremony on the occasion of the Slovenian National Day at the Expo 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai and visited the Slovenian Pavilion. He also met with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.