Minister Fajon: 'All efforts for peace in Ukraine must be based on the UN Charter'

SLOVENIA, July 22 - At the opening of the meeting, ministers addressed the Russian aggression against Ukraine in all its aspects, with a particular focus on peace plans and initiatives. In this context, Minister Fajon underlined: "We all desire peace, but Ukrainians most of all. Peace can be achieved either by forcing Ukraine, the victim, to surrender, or by supporting all efforts for a just and lasting peace. Slovenia supports the latter—a peace based on the UN Charter and international law. Surrender would set an extremely dangerous precedent. I recognize that there will be no peace without the involvement of both parties. However, the time is not yet ripe. Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. The conditions that President Putin is currently imposing for the commencement of negotiations are unacceptable, as they push Ukraine towards surrender. We must discuss ways to end the war in collaboration with China, Brazil, India, and regional organisations. These talks cannot take place without Ukraine. I condemn the latest attacks on civilian targets, infrastructure, and a children's hospital in Ukraine.

Minister Fajon informed her fellow ministers about the decision of the Slovenian Government to allocate an additional 5 million euros to Ukraine in 2024 for humanitarian aid, development and reconstruction. She also expressed support for the European Investment Bank's investments in Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ministers also discussed the participation of EU Ministers in informal meetings of the Council of the EU. In her statement before the start of the meeting, Minister Fajon said: “It is very important that the EU remains united, that we work together and that we engage in dialogue. That is why, unless there is a different decision at the EU level, Slovenian ministers will attend informal meetings."

The situation in the Middle East was also on the agenda. Slovenia strongly condemns Israel's attacks in the Gaza Strip and the killing of innocent civilians. It calls for an immediate ceasefire, additional humanitarian aid and the release of hostages. Minister Fajon stated: "The security situation in the Middle East is deteriorating daily. I have called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid attacks that could harm civilians and civilian infrastructure. The region must not be plunged into chaos. Slovenia welcomed Friday's decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. We called on Israel to respect the Court's advisory opinion. The backing of more than 120 signatories for ongoing assistance to the UNRWA at the New York donors' conference is a major achievement for Slovenian diplomatic service.”

She added that it is vital to ensure sustainable funding for the Palestinian Authority and called on Israel to release funds to the Palestinians. Slovenia further emphasized the role of the European Investment Bank in building a Palestinian state in light of the two-state solution. Minister Fajon welcomed the plan to reactivate an EU civilian mission at Rafah and to utilise EUPOL COPPS to build Palestine’s capacity to control its territory once a permanent ceasefire has been secured.

In a meeting with EIB President Nadia Calviño, Minister Fajon stressed the importance of supporting SMEs in the fields of defence and security, financing the Western Balkans region to build its own resilience and investing in the Southern Neighbourhood.