This document is a press release issued by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on July 9, 2026, announcing the State's successful defense in an ICSID arbitration initiated by Ascent Resources Plc and Ascent Slovenia Ltd. The publication details a reception held by the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning to acknowledge the contributions of the interdepartmental team, including the State Attorney's Office and the Environment Agency, in securing the favorable arbitral award.

The underlying investment dispute concerned regulatory measures and environmental permitting related to hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The claimants sought damages amounting to approximately EUR 600 million, alleging breaches of international investment protection standards. The State Attorney General emphasized the procedural and substantive complexity of the case, noting its precedential significance for the regulation of fracking and the broader intersection of environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and international investment law.

According to the press release, the ICSID tribunal unanimously dismissed the investors' claims in their entirety. Furthermore, the tribunal issued a binding costs order directing the claimants to reimburse the Republic of Slovenia EUR 3 million for the costs incurred during the arbitral proceedings, thereby fully vindicating the State's regulatory measures and safeguarding the national budget.