News

State Secretary Tamara Weingerl Požar participated in the regular EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. The main focus was on the debate concerning the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, based on the revised negotiating box presented by the Irish Presidency, as well as on preparations for the October European Council.

Speaking at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer stated that the world is currently facing an extremely challenging and unpredictable geopolitical situation.

In Dublin, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan attended an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for development cooperation. The ministers discussed the future of development cooperation, which is shifting from traditional aid towards equal international partnerships, and the Humanitarian Reset, which will set out the policy guidelines for urgently reforming the global humanitarian system.

Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, accompanied by his spouse, hosted a group of foreign ambassadors accredited to Slovenia on a diplomatic excursion to the Koroška region. The visit aimed to showcase the region’s natural, cultural and economic diversity and to foster direct links between Koroška's business community and international partners.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer met with President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia (OZS) Blaž Cvar and Danijel Lamperger, its CEO. The meeting focused on possible ways to provide further support to Slovenian craftsmen and entrepreneurs operating in foreign markets and facilitate their cooperation.

During the 63rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), Slovenia, as a Council member, actively participated in discussions on the gravest human rights violations worldwide and in negotiations leading to the adoption of numerous regional and thematic resolutions.”

Three years have passed since the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other armed groups against Israel on 7 October 2023. Slovenia commemorates all those who were killed, injured or taken hostage that day, and stands in solidarity with their families and loved ones. The deaths of hostages, their suffering and the anguish of their families have left deep and lasting scars on Israeli society.

On 5 and 6 October, State Secretary Tamara Weingerl Požar visited Prague, where she held political consultations with Jiří Brodský, the Czech Republic’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition to discussing bilateral relations, they covered current European and international issues.

Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, chaired the first meeting of the Strategic Council for Foreign Affairs in its new composition. Council members discussed the revision of Slovenia’s 2021 Foreign Policy Strategy. Against the backdrop of a changed geopolitical situation, the Strategy is an essential framework for shaping Slovenia’s future activities in international relations.

On the eve of German Unity Day, Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, welcomed Dr Johann Wadephul, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Ljubljana. This visit followed their meeting in Berlin in July and aimed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Slovenia and Germany.

In Trogir, State Secretary Tamara Weingerl Požar attended the MED9 meeting of ministers and state secretaries responsible for European affairs. The meeting was also attended by the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Ms Dubravka Šuica.

At the invitation of Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer took part in a Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process in Pržno, Montenegro. “The Western Balkan countries should continue their reforms and strengthen regional cooperation, while the EU should recognise their progress on this path. The responsibility lies with both sides,” he underlined.

On 1 October, the world marks the International Day of Older Persons. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs regularly emphasises the importance of respecting, caring for and implementing the human rights of older persons, as well as ensuring their full and equal participation in society. For over a decade, Slovenia has been campaigning at the UN for the development of legally binding international standards to implement the rights of older persons.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer has completed an intensive programme during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Slovenia’s activities focused on strengthening political and economic cooperation, international security, human rights, support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Belarus, developments in the Western Balkans and efforts to secure a more effective multilateral system.

At the invitation of the United States, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer signed the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity Partnership in New York, linked to the broader Pax Silica initiative. The signing represents a step towards strengthening Slovenia’s cooperation with the US and other trusted partners in the fields of AI and strategic technologies.

Minister Tone Kajzer is in New York to take part in the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, entitled “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”. The Slovenian delegation is led by Prime Minister Janez Janša, while Minister Kajzer is holding a series of meetings and taking part in events on security, the economy, human rights and the reform of the multilateral system.

State Secretary Tamara Weingerl Požar attended the regular meeting of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels. Ministers and state secretaries responsible for European affairs held a policy debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 and started preparations for the October European Council. They also discussed legislative packages on simplification and legislative planning, and held the annual rule of law dialogue.

In cooperation with the European Commission, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a meeting of the EU Ministries of Foreign Affairs Science Diplomacy and Advice Network (EMFASDAN). Representatives from EU Member States, the European Commission, UNESCO and other partners discussed the further development of science diplomacy, exchanging national experiences and best practices.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan hosted Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, for a working lunch during her visit to Slovenia. They discussed opportunities to further strengthen economic and technological cooperation between Slovenia and Ohio, as well as ways to foster links between businesses, research institutions and innovation ecosystems.

Minister Tone Kajzer, accompanied by Defence Minister Valentin Hajdinjak, met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately upon arriving at the Kyiv railway station, and later held meetings with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Deputy Prime Minister Vsevolod Chentsov.