New York - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon addressed the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in New York on Monday, saying the war in Ukraine had caused the worst deterioration of security faced by Europe. She urged Russia to cease the hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine's sovereign territories.

Fajon underlined that Slovenia would continue supporting Ukraine and its right to self-defence, also welcoming the departure from Odessa of the first ship carrying wheat. She believes this is a sign that dialogue is possible.

She moreover urged Russia to stop threatening with the use of nuclear weapons and also called on countries that are not parties to NPT to join it.

Slovenia remains dedicated to a world without nuclear arms, Fajon said.

She expressed support for the continuation of negotiations on nuclear disarmament between the US and Russia, adding that China should join the talks as well.

Fajon presented Slovenia as a country with a strong civilian nuclear programme. Slovenia intends to help others in peaceful use of nuclear technologies and sciences, she said.

Moreover, the minister called on North Korea to disarm and expressed support for negotiations to renew the Iran nuclear deal.

She also mentioned Slovenia's candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in the period of 2024-2025.

Fajon is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken later today. The US supports Slovenia's run for non-permanent membership over Belarus, Russia's ally in the Ukraine war.

The foreign minister will also meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres today.