News

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in an extraordinary informal videoconference of EU Foreign Ministers, convened by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon following the intensified conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

On the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Minister Tanja Fajon led an informal dialogue between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on the escalating situation in the Middle East, efforts to organise a peace conference for a lasting peace and a two-state solution, and the indispensable role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, chaired an emergency Security Council meeting on Lebanon. Slovenia, which holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council for this month, convened the emergency meeting in the light of the escalating situation and at the request of France.

On the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, Minister Tanja Fajon met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Following her visit to China in April, they continued their discussion on bilateral relations, the escalating situation in the Middle East and the international community's efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. Minister Wang Yi also announced a decision on visas for entry into China.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended a regular meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. European affairs ministers focused on preparations for the October European Council and the horizontal dimension of the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, which for the first time includes Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held bilateral talks in Switzerland with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary at the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

In New York, the High-level week has begun with leaders from all over the world gathering at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. One day before the official opening of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2024, world leaders participated in the Summit for the Future and adopted the Compact for the Future, which includes commitments to promote international peace and security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the margins of the Women Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted by Canada and Jamaica in Toronto, Minister Tanja Fajon took part in a panel discussion on women's participation and role in leadership, governance and decision-making. Also attending are the foreign ministers of Andorra, Congo, Ghana, Eswatini, Indonesia, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Romania and Slovenia.

“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.