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“In a world marked by many complex crises, protracted conflicts and aggressive wars, we need more active efforts for peace, more promotion of dialogue and more action for mutual respect, understanding and cooperation,” said Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, on the occasion of today's International Day of Peace, which is celebrated under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon chairs today’s UN Security Council briefing on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The debate on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 focuses primarily on the issue of laying the groundwork for a future two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

Minister Tanja Fajon chaired the Security Council debate in New York on the United Nations Special Political Mission in Afghanistan, focusing on the deteriorating situation of women and girls. This is the first in a series of debates the Minister will chair during the month of September, when Slovenia holds the presidency of the Security Council and world leaders traditionally gather for the United Nations General Assembly.

State Secretary Marko Štucin delivered an opening address at the 9th Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies in Izola, which is taking place under the slogan “Stronger cooperation for a better future”. Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region and is the only country that participates with its entire territory in three of the four macro-regional strategies (Alpine, Adriatic-Ionian and Danube).

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the fifth edition of the Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform in Chisinau, aimed at securing and coordinating international assistance to help Moldova tackle key political and social challenges. On the sidelines of the Conference, State Secretary Gabrič met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov and addressed participants at an event co-organised by the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF).

At the invitation of Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, Minister Fajon took part in a meeting of European and Arab foreign ministers. The discussion focused on strengthening joint efforts and initiatives aimed at realising the two-state solution and achieving peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. They agreed that more diplomacy and international cooperation are needed to resolve this conflict.

The rules for visa-free travel to most European countries will change. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for the nationals of around 60 visa-exempt countries travelling to 30 European countries. Similar travel authorisations for visa-exempt nationals are currently implemented by the US, Canada and Australia as well as other countries.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the Yerevan Dialogue Conference in Armenia, held under the auspices of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and held political consultations.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs today signed a contract with Caritas Slovenia for the implementation of a project to rehabilitate wounded Palestinian children in Slovenia and provide humanitarian aid in Gaza. In cooperation with the Danilo Türk Foundation, the project also aims to provide medical and psychosocial rehabilitation for victims of the war in Gaza.

This month marks 20 years since the launch of Slovenia’s first project of close inter-institutional cooperation, in which Slovenia, just a few months after joining the EU, began sharing its knowledge and experience in the pre-accession process.

As part of his visit to Bucharest, State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations with the State Secretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Clara Staicu. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on current European, regional and international issues.

The 19th Bled Strategic Forum is coming to an end, having exceeded all expectations with its challenging and complex discussions. The event brought together over 180 speakers from 48 countries and 2500 participants. This turnout proves that the Bled Strategic Forum has become an established platform for the presentation of views, constructive debate, confrontation of different positions and even exchange of opposing opinions.

The 19th Bled Strategic Forum was preceded by the Young BSF, where young people discussed with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon the divided world, in which we live in, the conflicts that have become part of everyday life, the importance of being heard, listening and working together. The young people asked her a number of specific questions about Slovenia's foreign policy, thoughts and plans.

Today, Slovenia begins its first presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2024–2025 term. On assuming the mandate, Slovenia will present its monthly Programme of Work (PoW), priorities and signature events to the Member States of the Security Council, the wider UN membership, NGOs and the general public.

On 30–31 August 2024, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, where he participated in a panel discussion entitled The Road Ahead: Key Priorities for the EU’s New Leadership, and held two bilateral meetings.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf on an official visit, reaffirming the excellent relations between the two countries, further strengthened by the opening of embassies in their respective capitals. Today, they will officially inaugurate the Algerian Embassy in Ljubljana. The two ministers focused on the enhanced cooperation between their two countries.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for an official visit. Their talks focused on cooperation between Slovenia and Türkiye, and in this context, they signed an Action Plan. They also discussed current global issues and agreed that both countries will continue to work for peace in the Middle East.

On 28 and 29 August, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosts the 4th Seminar for young diplomats from the Eastern Partnership countries, with participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

During the discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, Minister Tanja Fajon expressed concern about attempts to attack nuclear power plants. On the Middle East, she stressed the need for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Gaza in order to carry out vaccination campaigns to protect children against polio. She also supported the debate on the imposition of further sanctions upon Israel.

Minister Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Centre of Excellence in Finance (CEF), the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the Centre for International Development and Cooperation (CMSR) and ITF Enhancing Human Security. She thanked them for their successful cooperation and assured them of the Ministry's continued support, both in their work and in reducing red tape for them.