Minister Fajon signed the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine

SLOVENIA, December 16 - "We support all efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that is firmly rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Russia is the aggressor and must be held fully accountable for the most serious international crimes committed on Ukrainian soil, as well as for the immense damage it has inflicted on the country and its people," Minister Fajon emphasised in her address.

Slovenia believes that setting up the International Claims Commission is a significant step towards achieving justice and lasting peace. She added that the international legal order can only be maintained and future violations prevented by addressing the damage caused and ensuring accountability.

”Slovenia will continue to support Ukraine. This support is based on our commitment to international law and human dignity, and our conviction that Europe’s peace and security can only be built on human rights and accountability. The International Claims Commission is a testament to our collective commitment to ensuring that the future is governed by law, not force," concluded Minister Fajon.

The purpose of the Diplomatic Conference in The Hague, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, was to adopt and sign the Convention. It was endorsed by the EU and representatives of 36 countries, including Slovenia, with over ten of these representatives being high-level officials.

The Convention sets out the main provisions for the establishment and operation of the International Claims Commission, including its international legal personality and authority to consider claims involving damage caused on or after 24 February 2022. The text also makes reference to Russian aggression on or after 20 February 2014. The Convention will enter into force once it has been ratified by twenty-five countries whose contributions make up more than half of the total budget of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine for 2025. The Register of Damage is the first step towards establishing a comprehensive compensation mechanism for damage caused by Russia's internationally wrongful acts in or against Ukraine. Once the Commission has been established, the Register will come under its auspices.

On 18 July 2024, Slovenia and Ukraine signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support, confirming their commitment to establishing an international compensation mechanism, among other things.