# Slovenia diplomatic friction with the European Union > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/slovenia-diplomatic-friction-with-the-european-union > Updated: 2026-09-03T18:31:00.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 5. Slovenia has engaged in diplomatic friction with the European Union regarding the appointment of officials and the issuance of collective statements. In early August, seven EU member states, including France and Spain, criticized Slovenia after the Slovenian government blocked the appointment of Tanja Fajon as the EU Special Representative for the Sahel. Following this intervention, the EU appointed the second candidate, Birgitte Nygaard Markussen. The Slovenian government subsequently initiated criminal proceedings against Fajon, which Fajon has described as “political retaliation.” By late August, Slovenia utilized its veto power to block a unified EU statement condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank’s E1 area. The dispute centers on the E1 project, which involves a tender for 1,200 new homes in a strategic area that critics argue would divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem. Because EU joint statements require consensus, Slovenia’s opposition forced the European External Action Service to issue a statement via High Representative Kaja Kallas instead. Kallas characterized the construction as illegal and a threat to the two-state solution. Prime Minister Janez Janša defended the veto, stating that a new joint declaration would not provide “added value” and criticizing the EU for “double standards.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Janša for his “courage and clarity,” accusing the EU of hypocrisy. In early September, the Slovenian National Assembly held a joint committee session to debate the decision. Opposition parties accused the government of being overly accommodating to Israel, while Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer maintained that the government saw no added value in the specific wording of the declaration and continued to support a two-state solution. SDS lawmakers defended the move, citing benefits in healthcare and economic cooperation with Israel. ## Claims - Slovenia blocked a joint EU statement regarding Israeli settlement plans in the West Bank. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Slovenia's veto downgraded the planned EU-wide condemnation to a statement issued only by the High Representative. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Slovenian government believes a new joint EU statement regarding Israeli settlements would not provide added value. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Opposition parties claim Prime Minister Janez Janša's policy shift favors Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar opposed the government's veto, arguing settlement expansion violates international law. (corroborated by 8 sources) - EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called the construction of 1,200 homes in the E1 area illegal. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Israel has issued a tender for the construction of 1,200 homes in the E1 area of the West Bank. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Slovenian Parliament debates block of EU statement on Israel Slovenian parliamentary committees debated the government's decision to block an EU statement on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, sparking clashes between the ruling coalition and opposition. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-parliament-debates-block-of-eu-statement-on-israel ### 2026-08-30: Benjamin Netanyahu praises Janez Janša after Slovenia blocks EU settlement condemnation Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised Slovenian PM Janez Janša after Slovenia blocked a joint EU statement condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank's E1 area. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benjamin-netanyahu-praises-janez-jana-after-slovenia-blocks-eu-settlement-condemnation ### 2026-08-28: Slovenia blocks EU condemnation of Israeli West Bank settlement plans Slovenia blocked an EU statement condemning Israeli settlement plans in the West Bank's E1 area as Israel prepares to open an embassy in the country this September. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenia-blocks-eu-condemnation-of-israeli-west-bank-settlement-plans ### 2026-08-26: Slovenia blocks joint EU statement on Israeli West Bank settlements Slovenia vetoed a joint EU statement condemning Israel's E1 settlement project in the West Bank, sparking domestic political conflict between Prime Minister Janša and President Pirc Musar. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenia-blocks-eu-statement-condemning-israeli-west-bank-settlements ### 2026-08-07: Slovenia faces EU criticism over Tanja Fajon's appointment block Seven EU nations, including France and Spain, have criticized Slovenia for blocking former Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon's appointment as the EU Special Representative for the Sahel. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-members-criticize-slovenia-over-tanja-fajons-appointment-block --- Cite as: Slovenia diplomatic friction with the European Union. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/slovenia-diplomatic-friction-with-the-european-union