Slovenia is concluding its third month in the Security Council. During the presidency of Japan, the month was marked by the adoption of a resolution on Gaza, showcasing the leading role of the 10 elected members in peace efforts. Japan organized open debates on the working methods of the UN Security Council and the role of women in conflict prevention.

On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Slovenia became a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after successfully depositing its Instrument of Accession in Washington. By joining this important political-military alliance, Slovenia achieved one of the main foreign policy and defence-military objectives it set itself at the time of its independence in 1991. This historic milestone was celebrated yesterday with a high-level meeting, panel discussions and a national ceremony at the Brdo Congress Centre.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received an official visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Filip Ivanović. They confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the economy. They focused on Montenegro's progress towards EU accession and the current situation in the Western Balkans.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of the informal Central 5 group, with the participation of Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Péter Szijjárto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, and Juraj Blanár Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia.

During her working visit to Sarajevo, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon expressed contentment with the European Council's decision to initiate accession negotiations between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the EU. She reaffirmed Slovenia's steadfast support for BiH's reform efforts.

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, co-chaired the 5th session of the Slovenia-Friuli Venezia Giulia Joint Committee in Trieste, together with the President of the Region, Massimiliano Fedriga. Minister Fajon underlined that this type of cooperation contributes to the improvement and diversification of bilateral relations between Slovenia and Italy and is also of great importance for the two minorities.

At the invitation of Landry Riba Mandicó, Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Principality of Andorra, State Secretary Marko Štucin held the first political consultations in the history of the two countries in Andorra la Vella. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and current European and foreign policy issues.

On the 12th International Francophonie Day, Ljubljana will host the 12th Francophone Film Festival showcasing the films produced in Slovenia, Belgium, France, Canada and Switzerland. In addition to promoting the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity, member states of the International Organisation of La Francophonie share a commitment to peace, human rights, democracy and sustainable development.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon visited the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, where she gave a lecture on diplomacy in an increasingly complex world and met with the Rector of the College, Federica Mogherini, and two Slovenian students currently studying there.

The General Affairs Council focused on preparing conclusions for the European Council, where EU leaders will discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine, necessary security and defence measures and the EU's response to the alarming situation in the Middle East. A follow-up to the European Commission's latest report on enlargement, which is crucial for Slovenia, is also planned.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon addressed MEPs at the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) during a debate on EU enlargement. She stressed that EU enlargement is a geostrategic imperative and that both the countries aspiring to become part of the EU family and the EU Member States should prepare for this important step.

Minister Tanja Fajon took part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss the alarming situation in the Middle East, Russian aggression against Ukraine and the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus. She also participated in the third edition of the European Humanitarian Forum, where she presented Slovenia's humanitarian response to the growing number of crises around the world.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations in Athens at the invitation of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Alexandra Papadopoulou. The two officials also participated as speakers at an event on the Western Balkans, co-organised by the Bled Strategic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), which was attended by more than 130 participants.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs presented economic diplomacy to Slovenian craftspeople. The promotion of diplomatic support for craftspeople is part of a series of events aimed at systematically promoting the internationalisation of Slovenian companies through the network of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, particularly in the framework of the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships between Slovenian companies and research institutions (SRIP).

State Secretary Marko Štucin discussed topical European and international issues and bilateral cooperation with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and Glenn Micallef, Head of Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta, in Valletta.

Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek handed over a modern C-type ambulance, equipped with an incubator for the transportation of new-born and premature babies, to Olena Yaroschuk, Acting Director of Maternity Hospital No. 5 in Kyiv, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Ihor Kopach.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic hosted the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Le Thi Thu Hang, for political consultations in Ljubljana. The fifth round of consultations coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Thu Hang also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is hosting representatives of the Israeli organisation Women Wage Peace, Manuela Rotstein and Enam Odeh, and the founder of the Palestinian organisation Women of the Sun, Reem Hajajreh. The two organisations have been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their joint work.

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the third Antalya Diplomacy Forum on 1–3 March 2024, held under the theme "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil". In his address to the panel, he stressed that to successfully meet global challenges head on, especially in diplomacy, we need to be able to talk and seek consensus. He also held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Forum.

The second month of our membership in the UN Security Council has come to an end. This month, under the Presidency of Guyana, was marked by the second anniversary of war in Ukraine and the dire situation in Gaza.