Minister Fajon in Kyiv: new agreement to enhance cooperation on Ukraine’s reconstruction and development

Minister Tanja Fajon concluded her visit to Ukraine with a meeting with her host, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve Ukrajine

"Every visit to Ukraine is deeply moving. It reminds me once again of the extraordinary courage, unity and determination of the Ukrainian people in defending their homeland. I sincerely hope that diplomatic efforts to end the war and the suffering of the people will soon succeed - but only in a way that is fair and consistent with the UN Charter," Minister Fajon said, adding: "Only Ukraine can determine its own future. No solution can be accepted without its consent."

Ministers Fajon and Sybiha agreed that the war must end and that a ceasefire is urgently needed. Minister Fajon reaffirmed Slovenia's ongoing support for Ukraine, including through humanitarian assistance, technical support, development cooperation and reconstruction aid. She also made a special appeal for the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children, as well as the release of detained civilians and journalists. "War crimes must not go unpunished. Slovenia advocates full accountability, which is why we support the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression and intend to join it," she added.

Minister Tanja Fajon received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

Minister Fajon also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the current diplomatic efforts to end the war, achieve a just and acceptable peace and advance Ukraine's EU integration. Both underlined the importance of the return of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly displaced, stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and agreed on the necessity of maintaining pressure on Moscow. President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the assistance that Slovenia has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's aggression.

During her discussions, Minister Fajon reiterated Slovenia's strong support for Ukraine's European future, welcoming the significant progress made on reforms despite the ongoing conflict. Together with Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, she signed a memorandum focused on providing technical assistance in regional development and supporting Chapter 22 of Ukraine's EU accession process (Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments).

The memorandum, signed by Slovenia's Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and Ukraine's Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, sets out Slovenia's support for Ukraine's preparations for EU membership in relation to Chapter 22. The assistance will take the form of knowledge-sharing, the exchange of expertise and best practices, supporting the implementation of reforms and the alignment with European cohesion and regional policy standards.

During the visit, Minister Fajon also signed an agreement on technical and financial cooperation with Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. "The agreement will strengthen our cooperation, enhance the effectiveness of Slovenia's development assistance and provide a robust framework for a long-term partnership in Ukraine's reconstruction and development," said Minister Fajon. It ensures that Slovenian technical and financial assistance in Ukraine will be exempt from taxation.

Minister Tanja Fajon with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

Minister Fajon also took part in a conference entitled Resilience and the European Future of the Sumy Region, held at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In her address, she said: "Slovenia is providing humanitarian and technical assistance, including demining, medical equipment, psychosocial support and community reconstruction programmes. In the Sumy region, Slovenia is supporting several hundred families with heating assistance and has supplied a large electric generator to ensure the continued operation of essential services during the winter."

Minister Tanja Fajon at the Resilience and the European future of the Sumy region conference | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve