Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

01/17/2025 | Press release | Archived content

Fajon: No one should use threats and weapons to interfere in a country's territorial integrity and sovereignty

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the Ukraine-Southeast Europe ministerial meeting in Kyiv, where foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing their continued support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, and for assistance in reconstruction. She also discussed the prospects for peace with her Ukrainian host and counterpart Andrii Sybiha.
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Minister Fajon at the ministerial meeting | Author MZEZ

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Ministerial meeting Minister Fajon at the ministerial meeting Minister Fajon Minister Fajon

"Freedom, peace and hope in Ukraine means freedom, peace and hope in Europe. No country in the world should interfere in the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of another country through threats and the use of force. Slovenia always strongly condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, including deliberate attacks on critical civilian and energy infrastructure, humanitarian workers, sexual violence, forced displacement and all acts that threaten the safety of civilians," Fajon stressed in her talks with the Ukrainian political leadership.

The ministers condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine and called for a just and lasting peace. Fajon also offered technical assistance to Ukraine in implementing the reforms needed to pave the way for the country's accession to the European Union. She agreed that private sector involvement in the country's reconstruction will be essential.

In the late afternoon, the ministers met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. During their talks, Fajon stressed the urgency of joint efforts to respect international law and the UN Charter, to ensure the safety of the nuclear plant and to step up assistance in the search for thousands of missing children. "I respect the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people in these difficult times, which is a reminder and a warning to us all that peace is not a given," added Minister Fajon.

Today, Minister Fajon went to view the demining vehicles purchased by the State Emergency Service with a Slovenian contribution of €1.5 million for humanitarian demining. "With three new vehicles, the Service will be better able to carry out its vital tasks. Removing mines and explosives is the first step towards restoring homes, agriculture and the hope of a normal life," she said.

Today's ministerial meeting was the first in this format, following three meetings in the same format at the level of Heads of State of Ukraine and Southeastern European countries.

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Slovenia has provided support and assistance to Ukraine - political, military and humanitarian - and has so far pledged EUR 15.2 million in humanitarian and development aid.

At the Wall of Remembrance, the ministers paid tribute to those who died for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war.