Evacuation by charter flights from the Middle East is coming to an end, but the MFEA remains available to assist Slovenian citizens

SLOVENIA, March 7 - Saturday, 7 March, 8:30 pm

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia continues to be available to Slovenian citizens to provide assistance with information, advice and guidance on the possibilities for returning to Slovenia. In cooperation with the EU and partner countries, we are also striving to include as many Slovenian citizens as possible in flights organised by these countries, as a gesture of solidarity among European countries.

According to the information currently available, we have helped 912 Slovenian citizens and 146 citizens of the EU and other countries return home by means of evacuation flights in recent days. “We would like to express our gratitude to our staff at home and around the world, from the numerous experts assisting citizens abroad to the embassy staff, especially in Abu Dhabi and Cairo, who worked day and night to ensure the safe and swift return of Slovenian citizens from war-affected areas,” emphasised Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.

According to the latest information, airspace remains closed in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq. In Israel, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Syria, it is open with occasional restrictions. Information on the closure or opening of airspace is subject to change depending on the security situation, and we are doing our utmost to keep citizens informed on a regular basis.

We advise Slovenian citizens in the region to:

1) ensure their own safety;

2) follow the instructions of the local authorities;

3) regularly monitor the situation in the region, which remains unpredictable.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is in contact with Slovenian citizens who still require consular assistance through all communication channels. We understand that the current situation is uncertain and stressful for many people, and we are committed to providing timely information and support to each individual.

We estimate that there are still around 200 Slovenian citizens outside the Middle East region, mostly in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. We will continue to provide them with advice and information on how to return home. At the same time, we advise them to actively seek alternative ways to return home and to do so if the opportunity to return on a commercial flight arises.

Citizens can still contact