Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar attended the regular EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The main topics on the agenda were the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Global Gateway strategy.
Foreign ministers discussed further steps to be taken by the EU and its member states following the aggression and allegations of mass killings of civilians in Ukraine. Slovenia unequivocally condemns the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine and calls for the prosecution of war criminals in accordance with international law. It also welcomes the adoption of a fifth round of sanctions against the Russian Federation and the presence of diplomatic missions in Kyiv as a token of support for Ukraine.
High Representative Borrell reported on his visit to Kyiv with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. In the aftermath of the atrocities in Bucha and some other cities, he called for additional support for Ukraine and the countries bearing the greatest burden in accommodating refugees. Ministers also discussed the stability of the wider region and the issue of food security in other parts of the world.
Another important topic was the EU’s Global Gateway adopted in December 2021, which is an important tool for broadening the geopolitical and economic outreach of the EU and its member states in the world. Its purpose is to boost investment in green and sustainable infrastructure and smart and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems. Ministers went on to exchange views on the geographical and thematic priorities in investments, management of the project, mutual cooperation and alignment with like-minded countries.
They also exchanged opinions on the Union’s relations with the Western Balkans. On the initiative of the Central 5 – an informal group comprising Slovenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia – the May Foreign Affairs Council will put on its agenda an in-depth strategic discussion on the Western Balkans, particularly in light of the implications of the Russian aggression against Ukraine for the wider region.
Before the FAC meeting, ministers engaged in an informal discussion on the investigation into atrocities in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, and exchanged views on the response to the Russian aggression with the foreign ministers of Norway and Iceland.
Source: gov.si
