Ivan Kovac

🇸🇰🇪🇺 PSC Ambassador @SLOVAKIAinEU I previously Director of EU Policies @slovakiaMFA & Mertens @SLOVAKIAinEU | alumni @FPVMV_UMB I private I RT≠ endorse

[EU Council Press @EUCouncilPress]

❗15 June 2026 – Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg #FAC

📝 Check the indicative programme and press opportunities 👇
https://t.co/cclyqK49yZ

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Today, the European Union took a major step forward.

All member states agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

At the first intergovernmental conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process.

It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions.

This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges.

And a signal that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable.

Enlargement is a strategic choice.

By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security and prosperity across our continent.

In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest.

Enlargement remains one of the EU’s greatest success stories and our best investment in our shared future.

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Next week, the European Council will address several crucial issues for our citizens and our companies, including competitiveness and global economic challenges, the EU’s next long term budget, as well as Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

My invitation letter to EU leaders #EUCO ↓ https://t.co/UDVM4bFLKr

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🌍🤝🏻🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár has arrived in #Africa accompanied by the largest business delegation in Slovakia’s history, comprising 35 Slovak companies and institutions. The working visit begins in #Kenya and will continue in #Tanzania. #Slovakia aims to strengthen political dialogue, development cooperation, and economic and investment relations with its partners in East Africa, while also supporting the presence of Slovak companies in promising African markets.

[EU Council Press @EUCouncilPress]

Statement by the High Representative @kajakallas on behalf of the EU on the outcome of parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Read the full statement 👇
https://t.co/CnF9lreqf0

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇺🇦🤝🏻🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: Despite the war, #Ukraine has made significant progress in its accession process. We support the determination of the Ukrainian leadership to continue the reforms the country must undergo, and we are ready to share our experience from the pre-accession process. Our goal is a stronger #EU, and we want every country to be fully prepared for membership. It is therefore crucial that all candidate countries meet the established rules and criteria, whether from the Western Balkans or the Eastern Partnership.

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇺🇦🤝🏻🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár rokoval v ukrajinskom meste Vinnyca s ministrom @andrii_sybiha pri príležitosti odovzdania slovenskej zdravotníckej humanitárnej pomoci. Partneri hovorili o rozvojovej spolupráci, perspektívach mierového riešenia vojny a následnej obnove Ukrajiny, ako aj o európskej integrácii.

[EU Council @EUCouncil]

The #EUWesternBalkans summit has just started.

The Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the EU, and the EU is the region's largest investor, trading partner and donor.

In 2025, trade in goods was worth over ��88 billion.

More info➡️https://t.co/fPnurjI1Zc

[EU Council Press @EUCouncilPress]

📱 Roam like at home:
the Council agrees to start negotiations with the aim of extending the scheme of roaming without extra costs to the Western Balkan partners ⬇️
https://t.co/0Tmi9uqgh8

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: I extend my congratulations to 🇰🇬 #Kyrgyzstan, 🇦🇹 #Austria, 🇵🇹 #Portugal, 🇹🇹 #TrinidadandTobago, and 🇿🇼 #Zimbabwe on their election as non-permanent members of the @UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term 🇺🇳 I particularly welcome the historic first-ever election of Kyrgyzstan, which reflects the stronger representation of smaller states in the decision-making processes of the #UN. At a time of growing global challenges, it is essential to strengthen international cooperation and uphold respect for the principles of the UN Charter. #Slovakia remains committed to being an active partner in promoting effective multilateral dialogue and peaceful solutions 🤝🏻 @MFA_Kyrgyzstan @BMeinl @PauloRangel_pt @mfcagovtt @MoFA_ZW

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

Vitajte na Slovensku, welcome to Slovakia, welkom in Slowakije, @ministerBZ 🇳🇱

[EU Council @EUCouncil]

The EU is the Western Balkans' primary and most reliable partner.

The #EUWesternBalkans summit, taking place on Friday 5 June in Tivat, Montenegro, will be an opportunity for the EU to reiterate its unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans.

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

#Gymnich 🇪🇺 #Cyprus 🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár represented #Slovakia at the informal meeting of #EU foreign ministers in Limassol, Cyprus, known as #Gymnich. The participants discussed the situation in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran, the security of energy supplies, and the continuation of peace initiatives related to the war in Ukraine, with the participation of the foreign ministers of #India 🇮🇳 @DrSJaishankar and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 @FaisalbinFarhan.

[Ivan Kovac @kovac_ivan]

RT @SlovakiaMFA: 🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: #Slovakia strongly condemns the Russian air strikes that targeted civilian infrastructure in #Galaț…

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: I extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic collision between a train and a school bus in the municipality of #Buggenhout. In these difficult moments, our thoughts are with the people of #Belgium and we express our solidarity @prevotmaxime. I wish a swift recovery to all those injured.

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: #Slovakia expresses solidarity with Latvia @Latvian_MFA in response to the increasing security incidents originating from Russia and threatening sovereignty and territorial integrity in the region in the context of the war in Ukraine. We reaffirm our commitment to stability, security, and cooperation among #EU Member States and #NATO allies.

[Marek Eštok @MarekEstok_SK]

On the sidelines of #EuropaForumWachau2026 🇪🇺, I had a productive bilateral meeting with 🇺🇦 Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration @taraskachka.

We discussed #Ukraine’s progress on its path towards the #EU, the regional security situation, and preparations for the upcoming joint meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments.

I underlined that Slovakia continues to support Ukraine’s European perspective, including the opening of the first cluster in the EU accession process.

A strong, stable, and secure Ukraine is in the strategic interest of Europe as a whole. 🇪🇺

We agreed on the importance of maintaining close dialogue and practical cooperation 🇸🇰🇺🇦🤝

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: I am following with concern the actions of Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir toward the passengers of the Global Sumud Flotilla. I strongly condemn the treatment of the passengers, including a citizen of the Slovak Republic who was reportedly on board the flotilla. I consider such conduct unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental principles of human dignity.

The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Israel is actively monitoring the situation and taking the necessary steps to secure the immediate release of the Slovak citizen concerned. We are in contact with her family as well as with the Israeli side, which we have asked to facilitate an immediate consular visit. The protection and safety of our citizens remain our priority.

This case once again highlights the need to respect international law, including international maritime law and international humanitarian law. The principles of freedom of navigation must be fully respected, and humanitarian aid to civilian populations must not be obstructed.

[Ivan Kovac @kovac_ivan]

🇸🇰🇪🇺 WB6

[Slovakia MFA 🇸🇰 @SlovakiaMFA]

🇸🇰 Minister J. Blanár: Today’s meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans group confirmed that we are on the right path in supporting the Western Balkan countries and that we also see strong interest from the European Commission. By adopting the Bratislava Declaration, we reaffirmed that the enlargement of the European Union remains a strategic investment in the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of Europe. #WB6 #Ministerial

[Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @CY2026EU]

Today, the Cyprus Presidency proudly held the inaugural meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Party for the drafting of Montenegro’s Accession Treaty — a landmark milestone in Montenegro’s EU accession journey.

This important step sends a strong and positive message that enlargement remains a credible and forward-looking priority, and that the European future of the Western Balkans is advancing steadily.

@marilena_raouna