News

In Antalya, State Secretary Melita Gabrič attended the extended format meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation-League of Arab States Gaza Contact Group. The meeting hosted by Türkiye was a follow-up to the meetings of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and is also attended by representatives of Norway, Ireland, Spain and the EU.

During political consultations at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, State Secretary Marko Štucin met with Wael Hamed, Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Abu Bakr Hefny, Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Regional Affairs, and Nabil Habashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates.

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.

Today, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the Second Ministerial Conference of the Khartoum Process in Cairo. Egypt currently holds the chairmanship of the Process, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia visited Benin on behalf the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and held a series of talks with the country’s top officials and representatives of civil society. She confirmed EU’s interest in deepening its partnership with Benin and visited some of the project sites with which the EU is engaged in the country.

On this World Health Day conducted under the title ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’, the international community is urged to reflect on ways to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being. The health of women and mothers and the well-being of children have always been at the forefront of Slovenia's international efforts.

The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva, with Slovenia as one of the key co-creators of initiatives that contribute significantly to the strengthening of international human rights standards.

Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, accompanies President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar on her official visit to Kazakhstan with a strong business delegation. Minister Fajon met separately with Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu.

In March, Denmark – the first among the new UNSC members – took over the presidency of the Security Council from China. The programme of work included discussions on the Middle East, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted the new Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, for consultations. They discussed the most topical issues currently being addressed in the EU and agreed that Slovenia and Austria share similar views on several EU policies.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič is in Paris to attend the Nutrition for Growth Summit. There are more than 700 million people in the world who do not eat enough or do not eat the right food. The reasons are mostly rooted in conflict, poverty and inequality. We need to pay more attention to this global challenge and make financial commitments that will accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Minister Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Slovenian minority in Austria at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Ljubljana today to discuss topical issues relating to their situation, rights and development.

Minister Tanja Fajon discussed the challenges and future orientations regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA) with the members of the Expert Council for Development Cooperation. She underlined the importance of focused action, predictable funding and the reduction of administrative burdens, and the Council approved the plan to increase funding and strengthen cooperation with the private sector and NGOs.

The March issue features an interview with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ambassador Barbara Žvokelj. It also includes articles on the Ministry’s first strategic foresight document and on Slovenia's participation in the advisory proceedings of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, aimed at clarifying the obligations of States in relation to climate change.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her Asian tour in India, where she participated in the Raisina Dialogue international conference and the Young Raisina Leaders event. She also met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and visited an education centre in Kolkata founded 17 years ago by a Slovenian woman and her husband.

Today, State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels. Foreign ministers discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Syria, relations with Iran and EU-US relations. The FAC meeting was followed by Brussels IX Conference on “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition”, where Slovenia pledged a contribution of EUR 600,000.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded a two-day official visit to Manila, the first visit by a Slovenian foreign minister to the country. On the second day, she was received by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. She also addressed the participants of the Slovenia-Philippines Business Forum and held a lecture and discussion with the students of the Far Eastern University.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is on a two-day official visit to Manila with nearly 40 representatives of Slovenian companies and institutions. The first day was marked by the strengthening of political cooperation between the two countries, including the opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Manila, and the establishment of intergovernmental cooperation in the field of employment.

During its presidency of MED9, Slovenia will focus on strengthening Europe's resilience and competitiveness, youth empowerment and capacity-building in higher education, digitalisation and culture as well as the EU enlargement and other foreign policy issues. A number of events will be organised during the Presidency, which you can follow on the dedicated MED9 website.