News

A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), established earlier this year in Podgorica by Slovenia, France and Montenegro, is taking place today in Ljubljana.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Marko Štucin today attended the 15th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean University EMUNI in Piran, organised by the President of EMUNI, Prof. Dr Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry.

New York - Today, Slovenia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term. "The whole of Slovenia can today celebrate our unexpected success: 153 countries voted for us in the first round. The election to the UN Security Council is a great achievement of our foreign policy and a great day for Slovenia. I am happy and proud that we were supported by almost the entire country, which proves that the candidacy is truly national achievement," said the minister Tanja Fajon after successful elections.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs in Oslo. On the first day, State Secretary Žbogar, together with ministers of foreign affairs, attended the ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attack that happened in Norway on 22 July 2011. On the second day, he represented Slovenia at the informal ministerial meeting.

State Secretary Marko Štucin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkić held bilateral political consultations in Ljubljana. The consultations focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards Europe and the necessity to implement reforms to open accession negotiations with the EU.

At yesterday's session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the proposals of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for contributions to international organisations for development cooperation and humanitarian aid (2023–2025).

The May meeting of the EU General Affairs Council focused on preparations for the European Council meeting to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 June and, under the Article 7 TEU procedure, on the state of the rule of law in Poland and Hungary.

After two weeks of intensive negotiations between nearly 300 experts in public international law and international criminal law, the MLA Conference adopted the Ljubljana-Hague Convention, which will enable countries to cooperate internationally in the investigation and prosecution of the most serious international crimes. It is also the first major treaty in the field of international criminal law since the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

On the margins of the diplomatic conference for the adoption of the MLA Convention, which ends today in Ljubljana, State Secretary Marko Štucin met with the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Iryna Mudra. Their discussions focused on the importance of ensuring accountability for war crimes.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia Bojan Maricikj. They discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and Slovenia's continued support for North Macedonia's European integration path.

The Slovenian Embassy in Addis Ababa is now open and is headed by the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Vesna Dolinšek. This is Slovenia’s second resident embassy in Africa, which will significantly strengthen Slovenia's political and economic relations with Ethiopia and countries in the wider region. It will also contribute to the accessibility of consular assistance to Slovenian citizens travelling in East African countries.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon paid the first official visit to Indonesia at the level of foreign minister since 2006. In Jakarta, she was received by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, with whom she discussed the strengthening of political and economic relations and EU-ASEAN relations. She also met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Minister Fajon met with her host, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. It was the first visit at the level of foreign minister and deputy prime minister in 17 years.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar took part in a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, with Ministers and State Secretaries discussing the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Horn of Africa. They also met with Western Balkans’ Foreign Ministers.

Today, the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre and the International Telecommunication Union signed a joint declaration on cooperation in cyber capacity building and gender mainstreaming in cybersecurity in the Western Balkans.

Minister Fajon, accompanied by a Slovenian business delegation, visited Ho Chi Minh City, the economic centre of Vietnam, where she opened a business forum. The visit reflects the desire of Slovenian businesspeople to seek new opportunities and cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region.

This year, Slovenia is once again at the forefront of World Bee Day celebrations. President Pirc Musar was present at the main event at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome, calling for responsible agriculture that respects and supports the vital role of pollinators in nature. Slovenia draws attention to their importance through more than 30 other projects and events around the world.

On 22 May, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs traditionally celebrates Slovenian Diplomacy Day. The event is dedicated to the diplomats who have shaped the diplomatic service with great commitment, an occasion to remember one of our colleagues who excelled in their work. This year, we remember Ida Močivnik. A valued ambassador, she stood out for her principled stance and the highest professional and ethical standards.

State Secretary Marko Štucin opened the thematic conference "Towards Knowledge-Society and Professions of the Future" in Brdo pri Kranju, held within the scope of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) lasting until October 2023.

Minister Tanja Fajon received Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Staša Košarac during his working visit to Slovenia. Their talks focused on bilateral relations.