On Monday, June 24, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraine held a reception in honor of one of the most important holidays of the country – Statehood Day, which is celebrated annually on June 25 in memory of the country’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
According to the Embassy’s press service, among the guests of the event were representatives of diplomatic missions of foreign states accredited in Ukraine, Ukrainian statesmen, members of the Slovenian community.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovenia to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek made a welcoming speech, thanking all those present for showing attention to this important day and emphasized that Ukraine and Slovenia have a lot in common.
“Tiny in terms of territory and population Slovenia at first glance may not seem similar to Ukraine, except for a little bit of languages. If we go beyond the first impression and ideological, cultural or geographical surprises of one kind or another, we can easily recognize the similarities and, if I may say so, the sisterhood between our two countries,” she said.
The ambassador noted that against the backdrop of the changing balance of power in the 1980s, the people of Slovenia decided for independence and the beginning of new relations with their neighbors, other European countries and the world.
“It was not easy, we were attacked and bombed. Our military and diplomats managed to limit the aggression to 10 days. Especially important was the support we received,” emphasized Prevolszek.
The head of the diplomatic mission assured that Slovenia consistently supports Ukraine and its brave people in the fight against Russian aggression, and is a steadfast friend and partner of Ukraine.
“Slovenia’s independence celebration is a time to reiterate our commitment to help Ukraine not only defend itself, but also commit to a bright future in the EU and NATO family,” the diplomat concluded.
On June 27, Slovenian President Natasa Pirtz Musar is planning her visit to Kiev. During the visit, she will sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.
On 11 December 1991, the Slovenian Assembly recognized Ukraine’s state independence. On the same day, Ukraine became one of the first European countries to recognize the state independence of the Republic of Slovenia. On March 10, 1992, Ukraine and Slovenia signed an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of Slovenia in Kyiv was established in April 2004.
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Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob have arrived in Kiev, where they will participate in a summit to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Buča. Slovak Prime Minister Heger arrived in Ukraine on Friday and will meet with President Vladimir Zelenski, the Slovakian news agency TASR reported.
Along with Heger, Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nagy arrived in Ukraine. The time and place of the meeting are not disclosed in advance for security reasons.
According to Heger, Zelenski invited him to visit Ukraine in a telephone conversation after Slovakia approved the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.
For his part, Nagy is scheduled to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Alexey Reznikov during the day.
In addition, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic arrived in Kyiv on Friday morning. He is scheduled to meet with Zelensky, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. Also with the Croatian prime minister arrived Minister of Veterans Affairs Tomo Medved.
According to the Croatian government’s website, together with Zelenski, Heger, Golob and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, they will take part in a summit on “Bucha – Russian Responsibility for Crimes in Ukraine” in Kiev to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Kiev region). A joint press conference will follow.
This is Plenkovic’s second visit to Ukraine since the Russian aggression began on February 24, 2022. Last May, he met with the Ukrainian leadership in Kiev and visited Irpen and Bucha.
The Slovenian newspaper Delo, for its part, reported on the arrival of Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob in Kiev on Friday. He also intends to meet with Zelenskyy.
For the Slovenian prime minister, this is his first visit to Ukraine since coming to power. His goal is to reaffirm his support for Ukraine, which has been a victim of Russian aggression since last February.
Golob will also be received by Shmygal and Stefančuk .
Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia Piotr Fiala, Mateusz Morawiecki and Janez Janša, as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jarosław Kaczyński; will travel to Kyiv on Tuesday to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and present a wide support package for Ukraine and its citizens, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.
“Together with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczynski and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, we travel to Kyiv today as representatives of the Council of Europe to meet with President Zelensky and Prime Minister Shmyhal,” Fiala said on Twitter on Tuesday.
He said the visit was organized in consultation with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“The purpose of the visit is to express the EU’s unconditional support for Ukraine, its freedom and independence. At the same time, during the visit, we will present a broad support package for Ukraine and its citizens. The international community was also informed about this visit by international organizations, including the United Nations,” Fiala said.
Slovenia has opened its borders for tourists from Ukraine after previously imposed restrictions to counter the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, according to an interactive map of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
It is indicated that the regime of temporary entry into Slovenia is allowed for citizens of Ukraine, provided a negative test for COVID-19 by the PCR method (72 hours before crossing the border) or a negative rapid test for the determination of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus antigen (no more than 48 hours before crossing the border), or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
The temporary transit regime for 12 hours is also allowed.
President of Ukraine accepted credentials from ambassadors of a number of foreign states: the Republic of Korea – Chang-Kwon Chi, the South African Republic – Andre Johannes Groenewald, the Republic of Slovenia – Tomaz Menzin, the Federal Republic of Germany – Anka Feldhusen, the Republic of Finland – Päivi Maarit Laine. During the conversation with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine Chang-Kwon Chi, the parties discussed issues of strengthening political dialogue at the highest level between Ukraine and South Korea as well as prospects of trade, economic and investment cooperation, the presidential press service said on Wednesday.
“The issue of introducing a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens was discussed, which would facilitate the development of interpersonal contacts,” it says.
The president invited President of the Republic of Korea Mun Zhe Ying to visit Ukraine.
During the conversation with new Ambassador of the South African Republic to Ukraine Andre Johannes Groenewald, the president of Ukraine emphasized the importance of strengthening political dialogue.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine considers the South African Republic as a prospective partner in Africa and is focused on more intensive cooperation in all spheres.
“Special attention was paid to the discussion of trade and economic cooperation, in particular prospects of Ukrainian-South African business forum which would be held this year,” the message reads.
President of Ukraine spoke out about the establishment of closer and constructive bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa within the framework of its non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
The president of Ukraine also invited President of the Republic of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa to visit Ukraine in the framework of the official visit.
The president thanked Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Ukraine Päivi Maarit Laine for consistent support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as the substantial humanitarian and expert assistance provided by Helsinki to Ukraine at the bilateral level. Particular attention was paid to the practical assistance provided by Finland in implementing systemic reforms, in particular in the field of school education and energy efficiency.
During the conversation with Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine Tomaz Menzin the president of Ukraine thanked Slove nia for the consistent political support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Zelensky appreciated the assistance of Slovenia in promoting the rehabilitation of 400 children from Ukraine whose parents had died as a result of Russian aggression.
During the conversation with Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Anka Feldhusen the head of state thanked the German side for the continued support of Ukraine in countering Russian aggression, as well as substantial financial and technical assistance to facilitate the process of structural reforms in Ukraine.
“During the meeting, the main focus was on discussing the security situation in Donbas and a set of further steps to revitalize the peace process. The importance of continuing international pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure its implementation of the decision of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea was emphasized,” the presidential website says.
President of Ukraine also expressed hopes for the preservation of the traditionally active political dialogue at the highest level in the future.
In addition, the parties discussed the issue of involving German business representatives to work in Ukraine and the creation of joint enterprises.
AMBASSADORS, CREDENTIALS, FINLAND, GERMANY, KOREA, PRESIDENT, SLOVENIA, SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The Slovenian company Riko in August this year will begin the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 10.6 MW near Zhytomyr, mayor of the regional center Serhiy Sukhomlin, who signed a contract with director of the Slovenian company Janez Skrabec, has said. “The plant will be built near the village of Hlybochytsia on a plot of 18 hectares. It is planned to complete the work by August 2019 … Special thanks to the members of the government of the Republic of Slovenia for the issue of EUR3 million grant funds for this project,” Sukhomlin wrote on Facebook.
He noted this is the second project that Riko will implement in Zhytomyr: previously Slovenia won a tender for the reconstruction of the drinking water pumping station of municipal enterprise Zhytomyrvodokanal.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Services of Ukraine Hennadiy Zubko, in turn, congratulated Zhytomyr with the launch of such an ambitious project and expressed belief that the city has all chances to become Ukraine’s first city having its own solar power plant. “Financing the project: credit facilities plus financial support from the government of Slovenia plus city guarantees,” Zubko wrote on his Facebook page. He also noted that the future effect for Zhytomyr is about EUR1.65 million of additional revenue per year, and also the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
