News

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today delivered the final State of the Union Address at the European Parliament in this mandate, assessing the political priorities achieved and providing an overview of the challenges ahead of next year's European elections.

State Secretary Marko Štucin took part in a discussion entitled "A strong and resilient EU in response to the challenges of the future", organised by the European Commission Representation in Slovenia on the occasion of this year's State of the Union address by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Minister Tanja Fajon delivered the opening address at the 12th Economic Diplomacy Day, which took place in the framework of the traditional 55th International Trade Fair in Celje with the message: "When I meet with companies, I find that Slovenian companies offer solutions that contribute to solving the challenges of climate change, not only in Slovenia, but also worldwide."

On Tuesday, 12th September 2023, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), successfully entered the markets with a US$ 1bn 10-year 144A / Reg S bond. This landmark transaction represents the return of Slovenia to the US$ market for the first time since 2014. The success of the transaction, with over US$ 3.8bn of demand (including JLMs interest), is a strong testimony of the confidence institutional investors have in the Republic of Slovenia. Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe S.E. and J.P. Morgan jointly led the offering.

At its correspondence session, the Government gave its consent to the proposed amendments to the draft act amending the Mental Health Act.

At government committee sessions, the Government agreed with the proposed amendments to the Financial Operations, Insolvency Proceedings and Compulsory Dissolution Act and the proposed amendments to the Bloudek Awards Act. In the Development Programmes Plan 2023–2026, the Government added several new projects.

In Istanbul, Turkey, the last intensive preparations are underway for the 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP23). Slovenia will host the 23rd meeting in December 2023 and take over the two-year presidency of the Barcelona Convention for the period 2024-2025.

State Secretary for Intergenerational Dialogue and Housing Policy Nataša Lužar received the representatives of the Association of Social Institutions of Slovenia.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister Robert Golob paid an official visit to Luxembourg. This is a follow-up to Prime Minister Bettel's visit to Slovenia in February this year, when the two countries pledged to work even more closely together, particularly in economic matters.

State Secretary for Intergenerational Dialogue and Housing Policy Nataša Lužar met with the representatives of the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Today, on 12 September 2023, the State Secretary for the Coordination of Measures and Activities for Post-Flood Reconstruction, Boštjan Šefic, visited the Municipality of Litija and met with Mayor Franci Rokavec. The purpose of the working visit was to discuss the challenges and needs facing the municipality and residents living in the affected area, as well as further relief measures.

In a telephone conversation, Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar once again drew the attention of his Croatian counterpart Dr Davor Božinović to the high number of illegal crossings of the Slovenian-Croatian border, in particular in the area of the municipality of Brežice.

At the invitation of the Latvian Minister of Justice and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Slovenia's Minister of Justice Dominika Švarc Pipan attended the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe in Riga. The aim of the discussion is to support the reforms of the Ukrainian justice system and the restoration of the international legal order by ensuring the full responsibility of the Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine.

Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han today visited Carinthia as part of his tour of the border regions that form Slovenia's economic hinterland. As part of the Slovenian Minority Business Coordination, the Minister aims to strengthen economic cooperation with the regions along Slovenia's border, as these regions account for 30% of trade with neighbouring countries.

Today, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended a commemorative ceremony in honour of the heroes of Basovizza, marking the 93rd anniversary of their death. She delivered a solemn address and laid a memorial wreath.

The traditional European Mobility Week campaign began last weekend as one of the most massive and influential initiatives in Slovenia and Europe at large.

In the context of maintaining regular dialogue and good cooperation, Prime Minister Robert Golob and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar met for a working lunch.

Prime Minister Robert Golob wrote to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, about the importance of the EU's expansion to the Western Balkans and making the decision to start accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At today's meeting, the Government took note of information on the progress of activities to prepare an application for the EU Solidarity Fund, established the Government Office for Flood and Landslide Recovery and appointed the Director General of the Police.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and J.P. Morgan as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners to arrange a Global Investor Call today, September 7, at 2pm UKT / 3pm CET / 9am EST, as well as a series of 1-on-1 investor calls also commencing today. A US$-denominated 144A/Reg S 10-year benchmark issue may follow subject to market conditions.

One of four semesters of the new international postgraduate study programme examining the physiology and medicine of humans in space and extreme environments will be implemented in Slovenia as part of the SpaceMed Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. The University of Caen Normandy (France), the Charité – University Medicine Berlin (Germany) and the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School (Slovenia) have joined forces in the programme.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the call centre for assistance to residents after the floods, which started its operation today.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received today the President of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, who is on an official visit to Slovenia.

The State Attorney’s Office of the Republic of Slovenia invites interested lawyers and law firms in Romania to submit tenders to represent the Republic of Slovenia before the courts and administrative authorities of Romania.

At a regular meeting of the Committee on the Economy, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved amendments to the General conditions governing the activities of the Slovenian Regional Development Fund.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government decided to set up a call centre for reconstruction after the 2023 floods on the telephone number 114. It also appointed Maja Tomanič Vidovič as Director of the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship (hereinafter: the Slovene Enterprise Fund).

At the government committee sessions, the Government agreed, among other things, on an amendment to the draft Act amending the Bloudek Awards Act, revised the values of projects for the compensation of electricity and natural gas suppliers in the current Development Programmes Plan 2023–2026 (DPP 2023–2026), and adopted some amendments to the current DPP 2023–2026.

EU Ministers for Development Cooperation discussed sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed. The next day's meeting focused on the triple transition – green, digital and social – and on the reform of the global financial architecture. Slovenia was represented by Director-General of the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Edvin Skrt.

Today, a 3-day informal meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers, including Mrs Irena Šinko, the Slovenian Agriculture Minister, concluded in Cordoba/Spain. Focus of this meeting was on new technologies to stimulate transition to a more sustainable and productive model adapted to the challenges of climate change. In the margins of the meeting, Minister Šinko met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Janusz Wojciechowski, and presented to him the damages in agriculture in the aftermath of the catastrophic floods that affected Slovenia this August.

The Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič on the basis of the third paragraph of Article 40 of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding Act, issued a Decision on the appointment and tasks of the Expert Commission for the preparation of the candidate proposal for the member of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board.

At a correspondence session, the Government adopted a new version of the Guidelines for Innovative Public Procurement and issued an opinion on the petition of Vzajemna, d.v.z., Ljubljana, to initiate a procedure to review the constitutionality of the Decree on the setting of the maximum price of the supplementary health insurance premium, the Decree amending the Decree laying down the list of goods and services subject to price control measures, and the Price Control Act.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana will be closed on 5 September 2023 on the occasion of Mother Teresa Canonisation Day.

Join evening Slovene language courses starting at UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies

The signing of the Working Agreement between the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Organisation on search co-operation will enable applicants to obtain quality information more quickly in patent grant procedures. Applicants for European and international patent applications will be able to obtain additional financial benefits for an invention that has been pre-examined by the European Patent Office.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received a delegation of ten members of the United States Congress, nine senators and one member of the House of Representatives.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Toledo, where the ministers addressed current foreign and security policy issues. They discussed Russia's aggression on Ukraine and the situation in the Sahel, focusing on Niger after the military coup.

“It is the enormous scale of the damage that requires us to tackle these floods and their consequences, not only with a new act, but with a completely renewed approach,” the Prime Minister explained in the National Assembly when discussing the draft act on intervention measures to address the consequences of floods and landslides.

On Tuesday, 29th of August, the Bled Strategic Forum hosted a panel titled Ukraine: the Power of Solidarity. The panellists included Dr Damir Črnčec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Krsto Perović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro, Andrii Taran, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia, Krzysztof Jan Olendzki, Ambassador of Poland to the Republic of Slovenia, and Holger Haibach from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for Croatia and Slovenia. The panel was moderated by Katja Geršak.

Presenting the draft revised state budget for this year in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Robert Golob stressed that the Government would give priority to helping the most affected people and business sectors before dealing with the rest.

The Government has approved an indicative list of areas for additional loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

At today's session, the Government adopted a decision on the use of additional loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It also adopted several other decisions and resolutions.

Today, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Damir Črnčec, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro, Dr Krsto Perović, signed an Agreement between the Ministries of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and Montenegro on cooperation in the field of military reconnaissance and aerial surveillance and monitoring based on the joint procurement of Belin unmanned aerial systems.

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum, which has hosted 32 discussions and brought together nearly 3000 participants, 188 speakers and around 100 representatives of Slovenian and foreign media, is coming to an end. It has once again proven not only to be a hub of ideas and a platform for the most pressing issues of modern society, but also a trademark that is becoming more and more established at the global level.

Meteorologist Branko Gregorčič and hydrologist Janez Polajnar from the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), Neža Kodre, the director of the Slovenian Water Agency, Miloš Bavec, the director of the Geological Survey of Slovenia, and Srečko Šestan, the commander of the Civil Protection Service, participated in a press conference about the extraordinary meteorological and hydrological conditions in Slovenia, at which a weather and hydrological warning with updated data was also presented.

State Secretaries Samuel Žbogar and Marko Štucin held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 18th Bled Strategic Forum. State Secretary Štucin participated in the panel on the EU’s decision-making role.

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum, this year held under the slogan “Solidarity for Global Security”, was opened with speeches by Prime Minister Robert Golob, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon. In the context of the recent floods that hit Slovenia, the forum also has a humanitarian focus.

The expected extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions in Slovenia were presented at the press conference by meteorologist Branko Gregorčič and hydrologist Janez Polajnar, both from the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), a representative of the Slovenian Water Agency, Rok Penec, and the Commander of the Civil Protection Service of the Republic of Slovenia, Srečko Šestan.

Minister Tanja Fajon opened the 18th Bled Strategic Forum, which this year is held under the title of "Solidarity for Global Security". The theme coincides with the most devastating natural disaster in Slovenia's recent history, which affected many people and destroyed a large number of homes. The guests were also addressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Minister Dr Jevšek and Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Dr Ignazio Cassis signed today in Ljubljana the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Swiss Federal Council on the implementation of the second Swiss Contribution to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Union. Slovenia is eligible to 16 million Swiss Franks under the second Swiss Contribution.

In early August, parts of Slovenia were hit by widespread flooding, which also caused great damage to part of the economy. Most of the Slovenian economy is functioning completely normally after the floods, it is safe and open for business.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister, Robert Golob, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, arrived in Slovenia to attend the Bled Strategic Forum. Before that, he and the Prime Minister visited some of the areas affected by the natural disaster in Kamnik. President Michel pledged continued support for Slovenia.

State Secretary Boštjan Šefic, who is responsible for the coordination of measures and activities for post-flood reconstruction, met with the mayors of the flood-affected municipalities in the Upper Savinja Valley.

Construction works at the Domžale railway station have come to an end. The railways station now boasts a modernised platform and rail infrastructure, a new underpass for passengers, and a refurbished station building.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain, and the IFRC Regional Director, Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has set out the text of the draft Act Determining Intervention Measures for Flood and Landslide Recovery of August 2023 and is sending it to the National Assembly for consideration under the urgent procedure. The adoption of the draft Act will allow for the taking of urgent and effective measures to deal with the consequences of floods and landslides.

On 23 and 24 August, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosts the 3rd Seminar for young diplomats from the Eastern Partnership countries, with participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

State Secretary mag. Marko Koprivc gave an address at the opening of a new interpretive circular trail in the Ljubljansko barje marshes. In his address, the State Secretary underlined the importance of greening people's living environments, which has a significant impact on the quality of life on the one hand, and on improving the state of biodiversity on the other, also taking into account, of course, climate change adaptation.

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum international conference will take place in Bled on 28 and 29 August 2023. This year's conference will be held under the title “Solidarity for Global Security” and will be the most globally inclusive and representative forum yet. In light of the recent catastrophic floods in Slovenia, this year's conference will also feature fundraising activities for flood relief.

At today's government session, Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek reported about the progress of the ongoing activities concerning the preparation of the application for the EU Solidarity Fund and about other activities for a fast and efficient post-flood recovery.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today held a meeting with representatives of the Slovenian banking and insurance systems.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob invited representatives of major humanitarian organisations to a working meeting. They discussed further measures aimed at helping people affected by the floods, including mutual cooperation and the distribution of material and financial aid and activities in the field.

At the end of the first week of August, heavy rainfall across much of Slovenia resulted in catastrophic floods and devastation. Slovenian rescue teams were joined by helicopter teams from neighbouring Hungary and Croatia on August 7th and 8th to help fortify the Mura River embankments and prevent further destruction.

This year's World Humanitarian Day is dedicated to both the people in need and aid workers delivering life-saving assistance, #NoMatterWhat. In the recent devastating floods, Slovenia experienced the crucial effect of prompt and efficient assistance first-hand.

The State Secretary for National and International Security in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Andrej Benedejčič, attended a cultural event dedicated to Ukraine’s national day in Kranj.

In an effort to produce comprehensive solutions and measures to help everyone affected by the floods, Prime Minister Robert Golob called a working meeting with the heads of all parliamentary parties.

The State Secretary at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, Matevž Frangež met with representatives of the international chambers of commerce and industry in Slovenia. He presented the measures taken so far by the Government to help the business sector recover from the floods. He also called on the chambers of commerce to communicate to their industries and businesses that Slovenia is, for the most part, an economically viable and safe country.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has adopted the initiative to conclude the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Swiss Federal Council on the implementation of the second Swiss Contribution to selected member states of the European Union to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Union. Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek has been authorised by Slovenian Government to sign the Framework Agreement.

On the eve of the Day of the Unification of the Prekmurje Slovenians with the Mother Nation, a ceremony was held at the Prekmurje trg square in Ljubljana. The keynote speaker, Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek, emphasised that the unification of the Prekmurje Slovenians with the mother nation was a bright moment in the history of the Slovenian nation and that a united Slovenia is a strong Slovenia.

Below is the message by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the Day of the Unification of Prekmurje Slovenians with the Mother Nation.

Many families in Slovenia have been affected by the natural disaster. Some of them have lost everything. "The mayor and I agreed that we should speed up the procedures for assessing the damage so that we can have the relevant data in a few weeks and be able to help effectively", said the Slovenian Prime Minister, adding that the Government would discuss the first information on the measures to help people already on Thursday, and then prepare an intervention law.

The press conference focusing on the organisation of psychosocial support for residents living in areas affected by the floods was attended by the Director of the Government Communication Office, Petra Bezjak Cirman, and Head of Psychological Assistance Unit in Civil Protection System of the Republic of Slovenia, Barbara Čibej Žagar.

Below is a message from Prime Minister Robert Golob on Solidarity Day.

Tomorrow, on 14 August 2023, which has been declared Solidarity Day, all of the country's critical infrastructure will be operational, covering the energy, transport, food, drinking water supply, health, finance, environmental protection and information and communication network sectors.

After 16 hours' drive, a convoy of heavy machinery arrived in Slovenia from Uzhhgorod in Ukraine to help us in the Upper Savinja Valley.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today visited the Upper Savinja Valley as part of his working visits to the areas affected by the severe natural disaster.

Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek today visited Prevalje to thank the German THW team (German Federal Agency for Technical Relief) that started building a pre-fabricated temporary bridge across the Meža River in Prevalje. Ensuring transport links is currently one of the government's priorities for flood relief efforts.

Slovenia's peak tourist season is in full swing despite the floods last weekend, which hit certain destinations and impacted travel. Nevertheless, most of Slovenia remains fully functional, assuring a pleasant getaway. Destinations and tourism providers are doing their best to offer guests a safe and comfortable stay, and the best travel experience, which Slovenia is known for.

Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek today spoke over the phone with European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira about the scale of devastation caused by the floods that recently hit Slovenia. The Minister thanked the European Commission and EU member states for their fast response and support. He invited the Commissioner to Slovenia to see first-hand the damage caused by the floods.

At its 63rd session today, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the draft revised budget for this year. As Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said at a press conference, this will provide EUR 520 million to deal quickly and effectively with the consequences of the devastating floods.

On Monday 14/08/2023, intercity public passenger bus services and domestic rail services will operate according to the planned weekday holiday timetable.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who paid a working visit to Slovenia to show support and solidarity with all those affected by the floods, and to present the possibilities of EU support for reconstruction and recovery. During her tour of the devastation in Črna na Koroškem, she also met Tina Maze, the I feel Slovenia brand ambassador.

In order to help alleviate the consequences of the floods that have recently struck large parts of Slovenia, please be informed of the State Budget bank account number to which foreign citizens, companies, governments or institutions can make donations.

Due to the immense damage caused by floods, on August 6, 2023, Slovenia requested assistance from the EU and NATO. Both mechanisms were promptly activated.

After the Government yesterday established the inter-ministerial task force that will coordinate the preparation of the application for the EU Solidarity Fund, its members met today for the first time. The task force brings together state secretaries and experts from the ministries who agreed on the timeline and way of working.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who paid a working visit to Slovenia to show support and solidarity with all those affected by the floods and to present the possibilities of EU support for reconstruction and recovery.

Prime Minister Golob met today, on 8 August 2023, with the representatives of all three associations of municipalities – the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia, the Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia and the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia.

Minister Tanja Fajon today hosted Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. They visited areas hit by the flooding, accompanied by Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Aleksander Jevšek.

At its 62nd regular session, the Government discussed the current situation in areas affected by raging waters and floods, and continued to work on emergency measures to facilitate response and subsequent rehabilitation. The Government also adopted draft amendments to the Natural Disaster Recovery Act (ZOPNN) and sent them to the National Assembly for urgent consideration.

Despite the difficult conditions due to the extensive flash floods in the majority of Slovenian territory, the internal security system has been operating normally. We are also closely monitoring the situation so as to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure.

Today's press conference on the current situation in the flood-affected areas was attended by the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer, Minister of Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek, Acting Director of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Leon Behin, Commander of the Notranjska Regional Civil Protection Headquarters, Sandi Curk, and Head of the Centre of Environmental Health at the National Institute of Public Health, Nina Pirnat.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has been taking all measures to prepare and timely submit the application for assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund in the wake of the devastating floods that hit Slovenia this weekend.

Report includes information on Intercity Bus Transport, Domestic Rail Passenger Transport and International Rail Passenger Transport.

Heavy rains have caused catastrophic conditions in major part of Slovenia, and lives are also at risk. all available public safety units are on the ground to provide all necessary assistance in rescuing people and minimising material damage.

Prime Minister Robert Golob spoke by telephone this morning with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who expressed the Alliance’s solidarity with Slovenia and its population in the aftermath of the overwhelming disaster of national proportions.

In recent days, Slovenia has been hit by the worst natural disaster in the country's history, and messages of solidarity and support have been conveyed to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia by foreign leaders and the heads of EU institutions.

On Monday, August 14th, the archive, the reading room and the information room will be closed due to a collective leave day.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, together with Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan and Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan, visited the areas affected by the flood in three municipalities in the Gorenjska region – Škofja Loka, Radovljica and Medvode.

In most of the areas affected by the floods, the rescue efforts are being shifted to the phase when basic conditions for subsistence and communications are being provided. Due to the extent of the damage in the affected areas, the Republic of Slovenia has decided to request international assistance through EU and NATO mechanisms.

The latest situation on the floods in Slovenia was presented at the press conference by meteorologist Blaž Šter and hydrologist Janez Polajnar, both from the Slovenian Environment Agency, Director of the Slovenian Water Agency Neža Kodre and Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan.

At today's session, the Government allocated EUR 10 million in humanitarian aid to the residents of the affected areas. The funds will be granted to two humanitarian organisations, the Slovenian Red Cross and Caritas Slovenia, which will receive EUR 5 million each. It was also agreed at the session that shops selling food, technical goods and children's equipment will also be open on Sundays and public holidays.