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Slovenia firmly supports the moratorium on deep-sea mining in keeping with its commitment to environmental sustainability and international legal obligations. In order to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems and the preservation of the common heritage of humankind, all decisions relating to the exploitation of deep-sea resources must be based on the precautionary principle.

On the sidelines of the official visit of Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar to Ethiopia, State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations with the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadera Abera, in Addis Ababa. During the meeting, they called for closer bilateral relations and stronger economic and development cooperation.

On this day, Slovenia, by recognising Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, sent a clear signal about the need to reinstate peace in the Middle East and implement the two-state solution, in the hope that other countries would follow suit. A responsible member of the EU and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Slovenia strives for immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid in the region.

During her visit to Madagascar, President Nataša Pirc Musar, in the presence of the President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, inaugurated a new primary school in Bemasoandro, a suburb of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, built with the support of Slovenia.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, together with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, organised a forum "Translating Policy into Practice – Slovenia and Kenya Empowering Communities, Protecting Ecosystems, Fostering Peace". During her state visit to Kenya, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, inaugurated the event in her introductory address.

State Secretary Marko Štucin received the Deputy Governor of Styria, Manuela Khom. During the meeting, the State Secretary spoke favourably of the halt of the procedure for the constitutional amendment in the Provincial Government of Styria. The amendments included the addition of the controversial Styrian anthem, which mentions the Slovenian territory.

The Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian cooperation: Strengthening Partnership for Recovery and Rebuilding is taking place on 28–30 May in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, as part of the "U-LEAD with Europe" programme. The Forum brings together mayors and representatives of local governments, as well as political representatives and development experts from both countries.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič took part in the leading international forum in the Asia-Pacific region, which was held on the South Korean island of Jeju. During her visit to the Republic of Korea, Dr Gabrič participated in political consultations with the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Chung Byung-won.

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.