Slovenia and Germany want to jointly speed up the process of admitting Western Balkan countries into the European Union, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon agreed following a meeting in Ljubljana on Tuesday.

Membership of the countries of the Western Balkans in the European Union is our common goal, said German Minister Baerbock after meeting with Fajon.

Both politicians emphasised that Russia's attack on Ukraine showed that EU enlargement is a geopolitical necessity.

In this sense, Baerbock criticized the blockade of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who opposes further EU enlargement.

We, as the European Union, have always made it clear that we currently have no time for these kinds of games, said Baerbock, who added that Orban's position is nothing new.

Fajon pointed out that during the discussion on the admission of Ukraine to the EU, the countries of the Western Balkans should not be forgotten.

Fajon said that together with Baerbock, she will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina next year.

Baerbock added that the EU enlargement process must be carried out simultaneously with the reform processes. It's two sides of the same coin, Baerbock said.

Israel has the right to self-defence, but also a humanitarian responsibility

In connection with the latest escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Baerbock and Fajon advocated a solution based on the idea of ​​two states. Baerbock emphasised Israel's right to self-defence, but also pointed to Israel's humanitarian responsibility.

“Too many Palestinians have lost their lives in this conflict,” Baerbock said, adding that joint efforts are currently being made to reach a new ceasefire.

After the meeting with Fajon, Baerbock is expected to also meet with the Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and return to Berlin in the afternoon.

Announcing her visit to Slovenia, Baerbock promised Germany's support during Slovenia's membership in the United Nations Security Council.