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EU cautions Slovenia over plans to move embassy to Jerusalem

Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker (R) and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Jansa (L) attend the EU Leaders' Summit to discuss support for Ukraine, competitiveness, trade relations with China, the EU budget, and developments in the Middle East in Brussels, Belgium on June 18, 2026. (AA Photo)
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Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker (R) and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Jansa (L) attend the EU Leaders' Summit to discuss support for Ukraine, competitiveness, trade relations with China, the EU budget, and developments in the Middle East in Brussels, Belgium on June 18, 2026. (AA Photo)
June 29, 2026 04:59 PM GMT+03:00

The European Union will continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem, a spokesperson said Monday, after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said his country planned to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the EU's position on Jerusalem remained clear.

"The European Union and its member states will continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem, embodied in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 478, including the location of diplomatic representations, until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved," Anouni told reporters at the daily press briefing.

Anouni also said the EU's position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue remained unchanged, stressing the bloc's "strong commitment to a negotiated, viable two-state solution" based on internationally accepted parameters and international law.

Jansa told Israeli media that Slovenia's embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as part of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations.

Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa speaks during the final press conference as part of the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on June 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa speaks during the final press conference as part of the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on June 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Slovenian president stresses international law

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar said she would "always stand on the side of international law, on the side of humanity" regarding Palestine, despite policy differences with the new government over its approach toward Israel.

She addressed growing disagreements with the government led by Jansa, which has adopted a more moderate stance toward Israel than its predecessor.

Asked by Slovenian Television whether the country's institutions could maintain a common position after the new government removed a Palestinian flag from the facade of the government building while she continued to describe Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip as genocide, Pirc Musar said her position remained unchanged.

Photo shows Slovenia's Presidential Palace with a Palestinian flag raised along side Slovenian and European Union flags, accessed on June 6, 2026. (Photo via N1/Matjaž Klemenc/UPRS)
Photo shows Slovenia's Presidential Palace with a Palestinian flag raised along side Slovenian and European Union flags, accessed on June 6, 2026. (Photo via N1/Matjaž Klemenc/UPRS)

"First of all, I would like to make this clear: we stand on the side of humanity, international law and international humanitarian law," she said.

"Within this legal framework, I will not go beyond my values or the principles of international law. My path here is clear. I will always stand on the side of international law, on the side of humanity, and I will always advocate a two-state solution," she added.

Musar said she would cooperate with the Jansa government but stressed that she would continue to act in accordance with her principles and values.

New government shifts Slovenia's Israel policy

The previous government, led by former prime minister Robert Golob, had described Israel's actions against Palestinians as genocide and declared several Israeli ministers persona non grata.

Golob's administration also demanded that the EU impose sanctions on Israel.

Shortly after taking office, the Jansa government removed the Palestinian flag that had been displayed on the government building during Golob's tenure.

In response, Musar ordered the Palestinian flag to be raised at the Presidential Palace.

The new government later announced that it had revoked a previous decision banning the export and import of weapons and military equipment with Israel.

Ahead of Slovenia's parliamentary elections on March 22, allegations emerged that Jansa had cooperated with the Israeli intelligence-linked firm Black Cube during the election campaign.

June 29, 2026 05:13 PM GMT+03:00
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