178th regular session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia

The Government begins consideration of the Wine Act proposal

At its regular session, the Government began considering the Wine Act proposal, which it will continue to review at one of its forthcoming sessions. 

The proposed Wine Act introduces an effective and modern systemic framework for regulating viticulture and winemaking. It will facilitate the implementation of European regulations, protect the interests of producers and consumers, and enhance the competitiveness of Slovenia’s wine sector in international markets. It also defines the size classes of grape, wine and aromatised wine product producers, and specifies the categories of grapevine products to which it applies. It establishes clear rules for the classification of wine-growing units, including wine-growing regions, districts, subdistricts, close districts, places and sites.

An important systemic change concerns the renewal of the Register of Grape and Wine Producers, aimed at increasing traceability, transparency and the efficiency of controls over wine production and trade. The key novelties include:

• the threshold for entry in the wine register, aligned with the provisions of the Register of Agricultural Holdings;
• an extended registration obligation also for business entities that do not own wine-growing areas; 
• an expanded scope of data, as the register will also include information on aromatised wine products;
• the reporting of grape yields by GERK (graphical agricultural unit of a farm holding), which will allow for more accurate recording and assessment of income losses caused by weather-related impacts.

The proposal further regulates the use of oenological substances and procedures in accordance with the delegated regulations of the European Union, and allows for the testing of new oenological practices.

To ensure the quality of wines and aromatised wine products, the proposed act sets out detailed provisions on wine assessment and organoleptic testing procedures. It introduces authorised organisations for wine analysis and authorised laboratories for isotopic analyses, ensuring a higher level of control and product authenticity.

In terms of marketing, the proposed act lays down precise rules on wine labelling, focusing on the prevention of misleading practices and the protection of geographical indications. These rules apply to both traditional and aromatised wine products.

Particular attention is given to the regulation of trade in products not suitable for the market, the establishment of prohibitions concerning such trade, the procedures for their removal and the elimination of potential non-compliances. The proposed act clearly defines the procedures for official supervision, penalty provisions and the competent authorities responsible for implementing legislation on viticulture and winemaking.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

The Government establishes public institute for contemporary dance

During its visit to the Goriška region, the Government adopted a decision to establish the Public Institute for the Development of Contemporary Dance. This initiative represents one of the key commitments under the National Programme for Culture in the field of the arts and will support the stable development of contemporary dance in Slovenia. The new institute introduces an innovative model in the cultural sector, as it will operate in two locations. In addition the state, the Municipalities of Celje and Nova Gorica will act as co-founders.   

The public institute will expand opportunities for audiences to experience outstanding Slovenian and international contemporary dance, while providing creators with the necessary infrastructure and support – including creative, educational, residency and production resources – thereby promoting the coexistence of diverse artistic practices within contemporary dance. 

When this Government took office, contemporary dance was identified as one of the most precarious sectors within the field of contemporary art. In response, a development strategy for contemporary dance was prepared in cooperation with experts, followed by the necessary steps to establish the new institute – including securing suitable premises, resources, and staff – in partnership with the two municipalities. It is particularly gratifying that the decision to establish the institute was confirmed during the Government’s visit to the Goriška region, as this demonstrates in practice that culture can be developed in a decentralised and collaborative way, bringing together knowledge, ideas and resources.
 
The public institute’s mission is to develop, produce, promote and support contemporary dance in Slovenia and internationally. It will ensure the long-term and continuous implementation of activities in the field of contemporary dance, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration, networking, alignment with sustainable development guidelines, and international cooperation. The institute will promote a variety of aesthetic, production and support practices that contribute to high-quality contemporary dance at the local, national and international levels.  It will operate at two locations: EPIC Centre in Nova Gorica and Celjski Dom in Celje, where its main offices will be located. 

The establishment of the public institute will ensure the sustainable continuation of the European Capital of Culture in Nova Gorica and support the ongoing growth of contemporary dance in the Goriška region.

The decision adopted today defines the status of the public institute, the relationship between the founders and the institute, and key issues concerning its organisation, activities and funding. The establishment of the public institute will also be considered by the municipal councils of both municipalities at their upcoming meetings. Following this, the public institute will be formally established. 

Its establishment is among the strategic objectives outlined in the Resolution on the National Programme for Culture 2024–2031, the corresponding Action Plan until 2027, and the Development Strategy for Contemporary Dance 2024–2028. In line with its strategic guidelines, the Ministry of Culture will continue to support numerous non-governmental organisations and independent cultural workers in contemporary dance. Over recent decades, in the absence of a public institute, these organisations and artists have placed contemporary dance on the national and international arts map through high-quality projects and programmes. The new public institute will thus act as both an extension and complementary component of the contemporary dance ecosystem. 

Source: Ministry of Culture

Signing of a Letter of Intent to initiate the transformation of the University of Nova Gorica into a public university

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has taken note of the signing of a Letter of Intent to initiate the necessary steps for the University of Nova Gorica to obtain the status of a public university. The letter was signed on 12 November 2025 in Nova Gorica by representatives of the University of Nova Gorica, the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Municipality of Nova Gorica, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. 

By signing the Letter of Intent, the signatories commit to jointly preparing the legal, formal, organisational and infrastructural conditions necessary to transform the University of Nova Gorica into a public university.  Under the auspices of the state, the university aims to continue serving as a collaborative platform for a high-quality academic environment in the Goriška region and, in the long term, to strengthen Slovenian higher education and contribute to national development.

Following the Government session, the letter of intent was signed by:

• Dr Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
• Prof. Dr Boštjan Golob, Rector of the University of Nova Gorica
• Samo Turel, Mayor of the Municipality of Nova Gorica
• Prof. Dr Leon Cizelj, Director of the Jožef Štefan Institute

Source: Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation