Minister Fajon: Visit by Middle East foreign ministers highlights Slovenia’s diplomatic engagement

SLOVENIA, February 6 - Slovenia pursues an active, responsible and principled foreign policy

“Today’s visit by high-level representatives from the Middle East region is the result of Slovenia’s active, responsible and principled foreign policy. Our country is increasingly recognised internationally as a credible and constructive partner. We acknowledge the complexity of the challenges and are prepared to address them seriously, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, through humanitarian assistance and participation in international operations and missions,” Minister Fajon emphasised at the outset of the meeting.

She added that the visit sends a clear message to the international community on the need to move beyond crisis response towards structured political processes for addressing key international challenges – in the Middle East, Ukraine and beyond.

 The foreign ministers’ discussions focused primarily on the situation in the Middle East. Minister Fajon underlined that Slovenia consistently advocates respect for international law, the protection of civilians and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. “Although the ceasefire in Gaza remains extremely fragile, it must be preserved, and efforts must continue to deliver as much humanitarian assistance as possible to the Palestinian population, while also advancing a two-state solution – the only guarantee of lasting peace. This is not an abstract concept, but a political process that requires active diplomacy, consistent coordination of positions and tangible cooperation with regional partners.”

The ministers also exchanged views on peace initiatives in the Middle East and the wider regional context. Minister Fajon further addressed the alarming situation in Ukraine, which has been facing Russian aggression for four years, and reiterated Slovenia’s unwavering support for the country.

 Achieving peace in the Middle East requires concrete support for the people on the ground

In her opening remarks, Minister Fajon stressed that the political process for peace in the Middle East must be accompanied by strong and sustained support for affected populations: “Humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction are not merely expressions of solidarity; they are essential components of efforts to achieve stability and peace.” Slovenia will continue to work with the EU, the UN and regional partners to support the people of Gaza and the West Bank, strengthen local capacities and promote initiatives advancing education, healthcare, infrastructure and community resilience.

Today’s meeting with senior representatives from Middle East and Gulf countries provided an opportunity for Slovenia to present its concrete contributions and institutional capacities in the fields of humanitarian assistance, development and reconstruction. In the second part of the meeting, the ministers were joined by representatives of ITF Enhancing Human Security, the Center of Excellence in Finance, the Centre for International Cooperation and Development, the International Center for Promotion of Enterprises and the Centre for European Perspective.

“I am proud to present Slovenian institutions and Slovenia-based international organisations that have for many years operated successfully in crisis and post-crisis environments, working with both international and local partners,” Minister Fajon said, adding: “Today, Brdo is more than a venue. It is a place of dialogue, responsibility and hope. In this way, Slovenia is clearly demonstrating its role as a bridge between regions and a promoter of peace. The message we are sending is clear: peace is not born of silence, but of the courage to choose dialogue over violence, everywhere and always.”

The visit reflects support for Slovenia's policy on the Palestinian question

“Today is a day of particular significance. Never before has Slovenia hosted such a large and distinguished group of ministers from the Middle East and Gulf countries. We view this as an expression of support for Slovenia’s policy on the Palestinian question and the Middle East peace process in recent years. It also represents diplomatic capital for the future, as a shared willingness to cooperate in times of profound global uncertainty cannot be taken for granted,” Minister Fajon added.

The four foreign ministers – Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ayman Safadi of Jordan; Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain; Badr Abdelatty of Egypt; and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi – thanked Slovenia for its consistent support for peace efforts, as well as for its concrete humanitarian and political assistance to the Palestinian people. “Thank you, Slovenia, for your leadership at this critical moment in history and for your role as a messenger of peace.”

On 4 June 2024, Slovenia recognised the independent and sovereign State of Palestine. Supported by active political engagement within the framework of its membership of the UN Security Council, Slovenia has also provided financial and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

 Foreign ministers' visit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation

During the visit, Minister Fajon signed a General Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia together with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Agreement establishes a framework for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in areas including the economy, education, science, technology, culture, tourism, youth and sport.

Minister Fajon will also hold separate bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Jordan and Bahrain. In the afternoon, the ministers will take part in a panel discussion on peace in the wider Middle East region, organised by the Bled Strategic Forum.