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One year after the official recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, in the framework of the ‘Madrid+’ Group of the meeting, we have met to renew and reinforce the international commitment for the implementation of the two-State solution and to the principle that only a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, with internationally recognised borders, comprised of Gaza and the West Bank and with East Jerusalem as its capital, can fully satisfy the legitimate national aspirations and the needs of peace and security of both the people of Palestine and Israel.

During her visit, Minister Fajon held talks with Minister Juraj Blanár, focusing primarily on opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation and the need for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, as well as accelerating the enlargement process. Current international issues and Slovenia's experience as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council were also discussed.

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 Marko Štucin took part in a panel discussion entitled "The EU's involvement in the Eastern Neighbourhood", held as part of the Yerevan Dialogue in Armenia. In his address, he stressed the importance of maintaining positive relations with Eastern Partnership countries as a key element of broader EU security. Positive relations in the region contribute to economic stability and improved connectivity with the EU.

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.

Today marks two years since the adoption of the Ljubljana-the Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes, and other International Crimes. The adoption of the Convention was the result of a shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes under international law.

In a ministerial meeting of the extended Madrid Group of the Global Alliance, Minister Tanja Fajon called for immediate action, stressing that words alone cannot bring peace to Gaza, where civilians are dying by the minute. She once again urged countries that still hesitate to recognise Palestine, as Slovenia did a year ago, to take this step.

The May issue of the Diplomatic Bulletin focuses on food security and the vital role that bees play in ensuring it. It also covers Slovenian Diplomacy Day and the Ministry’s first Lifetime Achievement in Diplomacy Award, which was presented to Dr Boris Frlec. Read about the opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Manila, and how the Ministry’s team participated in the three-runner race under the ‘Slovenia – Aid & Partnerships’ banner.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič addressed members of the UN Security Council during the open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, with a particular focus on emerging threats, safeguarding civilian populations and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

On Slovenian Diplomacy Day, Minister Tanja Fajon presented the Lifetime Achievement in Diplomacy Award to Ambassador Dr Boris Frlec. "The award is an expression of special respect and gratitude to individuals who, through their many years of work, achievements and efforts, have left an indelible mark on Slovenian diplomacy," said Minister Fajon at the ceremony.

In a video address at the 5th Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Rabat, Morocco, Minister Tanja Fajon drew attention to the catastrophic situation in Gaza and called for concrete measures to be taken against Israel, which must be held accountable for its actions.

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.

As part of the Latin America and Caribbean Days 2025 cultural programme, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs held a soirée dedicated to the life and work of Branislava Sušnik, a Slovenian anthropologist who worked in Paraguay. The event was organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Paraguay, the Slovenian Cinematheque, the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana.

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

Slovenian bee diplomacy continues to implement projects that promote social and environmental resilience. This year, Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts will once again carry out more than 30 projects worldwide in cooperation with local partners.

Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.

Minister Tanja Fajon met with Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs. The counterparts agreed that Slovenia and Luxembourg enjoy excellent bilateral relations, without any outstanding issues, underpinned by shared European values and similar views on various European and international challenges.

Engineering Day was organised by the National Association of Consulting Engineers of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. At the event, Peter Japelj, Acting Director General for Economic and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, emphasized that engineering is one of the priority industries the Ministry actively supports in the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič addressed participants at a round table titled ‘Reflection on the 50th Anniversary of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe’, co-organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Slovenian Political Science Association.