On October 13, 2023, the Ambassador of Ukraine Andrii Taran took part in the awarding ceremony of the Head of the regional department of the Civil Protection Service of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Sandi Curk, with the prestigious award of the European Parliament "Citizen of Europe 2023" for the implementation of projects to help Ukrainian refugees, in particular, for his personal contribution to the evacuation process 20 orphans from the Luhansk Regional Children's Home (city of Sеverodonetsk) from the very of the full-scale war of russia against Ukraine.

The honorary award was presented by a member of the European Parliament from the Republic of Slovenia Ms Ljudmila Novak. President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia Marjan Šarec, members of the European Parliament, foreign diplomats, public figures and journalists came to personally congratulate Mr. Sandi Curk.

The event was devoted to the theme of international solidarity and the readiness of each person to help each other. S. Tsurk in his speech emphasized the importance of mutual respect for each other and the need for each of us to extend a helping hand to those who need it.

Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Mr. Andrii Taran personally congratulated Mr. Sandi Curk on receiving the honorary award of the European Parliament and also expressed gratitude for his personal contribution to helping Ukrainian citizens who were forced to seek shelter in Slovenia due to russia's war against Ukraine.