News

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals to co-finance Youth Transition+ projects.

The Ministry of Finance is deeply committed to the promotion of financial literacy and believes that it should begin in primary school. Therefore, it has prepared a simple infographic to explain to primary-school pupils how the state budget works.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, and the State Secretary at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, Vesna Humar, are on a two-day visit to Zagreb. The capital of neighbouring Croatia is currently hosting the World Handball Championship.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and the minister responsible for energy, Bojan Kumer, chaired an expert meeting entitled “Vision 2040 – Supplying Slovenia with Electricity”, which took place today at the Presidential Palace.

The Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, Matjaž Han, attended the Sports and Economic Forum in Zagreb, held on the sidelines of the 2025 World Handball Championship. The primary aim of the event was to foster connections, generate ideas and develop solutions to harness shared potentials in the fields of the economy and sport.

Speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council, a day after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, called on the warring parties in the Middle East to respect the agreements. She emphasised that all members of the Security Council must shoulder their share of responsibility and provide the necessary support to address the ongoing challenges in the Middle East.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar hosted a trilateral meeting in Nova Gorica with the Croatian Minister of the Interior, Dr Davor Božinović, and the Italian Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi.

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the Ukraine-Southeast Europe ministerial meeting in Kyiv, where foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing their continued support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, and for assistance in reconstruction. She also discussed the prospects for peace with her Ukrainian host and counterpart Andrii Sybiha.

Prime Minister Golob today received the representatives of the 8th of March Institute, who delivered 17,300 signatures collected as part of their campaign "Stop the sale of illegal firecrackers".

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Taran, who is concluding his term in Slovenia, at a farewell meeting.

State Secretary Marko Štucin met Ambassador Lounes Magramane, Secretary General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Algiers for bilateral consultations. He was also received by Mr Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs.

At today's session, the Government approved the text of the proposed Act Amending Health Services Act, which regulates and governs the situation in the field of health care and enables faster, better and higher quality treatment of patients in the health care system while also seeking to motivate healthcare workers to remain in public healthcare institutions.

At today's session, the Government adopted proposed new amendments to the Health Services Act, which strengthens the role of public healthcare institutions and regulates the transition from public to private healthcare – the regulation improves the efficiency and fairness of the healthcare system and eliminates conflicts of interest. The Government also approved the proposal for the Resolution on the Prevention of Corruption in the Republic of Slovenia.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, and Ms Tina Gaber and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, and Dr Aleš Musar, today hosted the traditional New Year's reception for the Diplomatic Corps at Brdo pri Kranju. The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps addressed the diplomats.

On 13 and 14 January 2025, a delegation from the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office visited the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property. The visit took place within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the two offices in Ljubljana in March 2024, with the main objective of exchanging good practices and strengthening cooperation in the field of industrial property.

Minister Aleksander Jevšek and Mayor of the Municipality of Tržič Peter Miklič officially opened a new business incubator in Tržič. The opening ceremony brought together the representatives of local business community, local officials, and local residents. At the round table following the event, Minister Jevšek highlighted that this addition would give the local economy a new impetus, creating jobs and contributing to the development of local community.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her visit to Ankara with the signing of the protocol of the 9th meeting of the Slovenian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation and the opening of the Slovenian-Turkish Business Forum. The numerous events and meetings held over the two days in the Turkish capital underscore the significant mutual interest in deepening economic cooperation.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Slovenj Gradec sports hall extension.

On the first day of her visit to Ankara, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, met with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. The meeting, which followed Fidan's visit to Slovenia in August, when the two ministers signed the Strategic Partnership Action Plan, focused on bilateral cooperation, the Middle East, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, enlargement, and EU-Türkiye relations.

Slovenia has reached an important milestone in international energy diplomacy. Presiding at the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, Slovenia will for the first time take on the role of a global advocate for renewable energy, as well as the presidency of an international energy organisation.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Director General of the European Space Agency, my dear friend Dr Josef Aschbacher, Honourable representatives of national delegations to the European Space Agency, welcome to Slovenia!

At today's session, the Government adopted an amendment to the Road Traffic Rules Act, which provides for stricter treatment of drivers who do not establish a rescue lane or drive in an established rescue lane and thereby prevent drivers of emergency vehicles, rescue workers, firefighters and police officers from carrying out urgent tasks to save lives.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Upgrade of the railway line state border – Dobova – Zidani Most – phase one: section state border – Dobova – Sevnica: stage two (the Sevnica area).

On Tuesday, 7 January 2025, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (positive)/AA- (positive)/A (stable), successfully accessed the international capital markets with a EUR 1.0bn Reg S issuance due 14 April 2055.

Slovenia is successfully dealing with the challenges of managing government finances. According to preliminary data, the budget deficit in 2024 was only 1.2% of the GDP, the lowest in the last five years, which attests to financial stability and the responsible management of public funds.

The Republic of Slovenia announces a mandate to organise the issue of a new 30-year bond maturing in 2055.

The online column Archivalia of the Month has been published since January 2011. Its purpose is to promote the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia and its archival holdings. Presented in the column are archival documents that are interesting visually and content-wise, as well as newly acquired documents or the ones that have so far been overlooked. Also published are documents relating to various anniversaries, current events and many more.

Below you will find the Archivalias of the Month of 2025.

The Government has approved the new Media Act and submitted it to the National Assembly for consideration. This is the first comprehensive overhaul of the Media Act in over 20 years, with its primary aim being to safeguard the right of the Slovenian population to comprehensive information and freedom of expression, even within the evolving new media landscape.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 1 and 2 January 2025 in observance of the New Year holidays

On 1 January 2025, Slovenia will enter the second half of its membership of the United Nations Security Council. In its first year, Slovenia has established itself as a principled, responsible and respected member that consistently applies the UN Charter and international law.

Dear Citizens, Fellow Slovenians, as the year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate and reflect upon with gratitude. In 2024, justice prevailed in Slovenia. Workers are now more fairly compensated, with average salaries rising by just over seven per cent. A reformed public sector salary system ensures that no one earns less than the minimum wage.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024 in observance of Christmas Day and Independence Day.

The Ministry of a Solidarity-Based Future continues to be successful in absorbing funds of the European Recovery and Resilience Plan for housing construction this year. The ministry made all the necessary preparations to ensure that the majority of the projects for constructing homes for the elderly could be co-funded by EU funds next year.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has published the Call for proposals Providing support for innovative ecosystems of economic and business infrastructure in 2025. The call for proposals aims to provide support for existing innovative ecosystems of economic and business infrastructure and for the transformation of degraded areas into economic and business infrastructure.

In the New Year every day is an opportunity to meet and learn about ourselves and each other through arts and culture. May we take heed in 2025 as we build new communities and care for existing ones.

At today's session, the Government approved the starting points for the residential property tax and tax relief on labour costs. It called for a revision of the methodology used to calculate network charges and requested the resignation of the members of the Energy Agency Council. The Government also began deliberations on the draft Mass Media Act and the proposed amendment to the Health Services Act.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. This was Ms Kos's first visit to Slovenia in her role as Commissioner for Enlargement and Reconstruction of Ukraine. The visit served as an opportunity to exchange views on one of the European Commission's key priorities: the enlargement of the European Union.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran will be closed on 25 December 2024, Christmas Day, as well as on 26 December 2024, Slovenia's Independence and Unity Day.

At a time when many employers are paying their employees Christmas bonuses or performance bonuses, the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia (IRSD) would like to draw your attention to the important case law of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia, in particular to the Decision VIII Ips 9/2024, adopted at its meeting on 20 August 2024.

The Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), Petra Bezjak Cirman, and the Director of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Mojca Prelesnik, signed the Contract for the public service of STA in 2025, both expressing their satisfaction that the smooth operation of STA will be guaranteed.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025.

Slovenia continues to see positive trends in the level of defence spending, both in nominal terms and as a share of gross domestic product (GDP).

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Dear citizens of the independent Republic of Slovenia, Slovenians at home and abroad, esteemed President of Slovenia, distinguished guests, Excellencies, dear friends, I am grateful and delighted to be able to share this festive moment with you.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued the Ordinance on the temporary reintroduction of controls on the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia with the Republic of Croatia and Hungary at its meeting on 18 December 2024. The ordinance enters into force on 22 December 2024, prolonging temporary controls on the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia with the Republic of Croatia and Hungary for another six months, up to and including 21 June 2025.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved additional funding for the Call for proposals for promoting investments in the economic restructuring of the Zasavska and Savinjsko-Šaleška coal regions. Additional funding comes from the Just Transition Fund 2024-2027 (JTF productive investments) and amounts to EUR 14,419,800.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Incentives for projects included in IPCEI EuBatln.

At the Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats in Brdo pri Kranju, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Igor Papič signed an agreement whereby Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts abroad will contribute to promoting the achievements of Slovenian science, innovation and research excellence.

Due to technical limitations, our consular unit and VFS Global will continue to provide limited services from December 13 until the end of the year. As a result, applications submitted during this period will have longer processing times.

The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Hungary have coordinated the transfer of funds into a joint development fund within the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) MURABA.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending a special European Council meeting in Brussels today. Yesterday, the EU–Western Balkans Summit was held, during which EU and Western Balkan leaders discussed the implementation of the Growth Facility, the region's progress towards the EU and common geopolitical challenges in a rapidly changing world.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Automatic subtitling of TV programmes.

On the first day of the 28th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted Slovenia’s new foreign policy strategy, which sets out the guidelines for achieving and implementing foreign policy goals. The new strategy is based on inclusiveness, responsibility, security, solidarity and knowledge, and is modern, transparent and long-term.

At today's session, the Government adopted a new foreign policy strategy and an amendment to the Labour and Social Security Registers Act, as well as updated the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. It also discussed an amendment to the Social Assistance Act and issued an amendment to the Decree on the compulsory health insurance service programme, capacities required to implement it and the amount of funding for services for 2024.

Prime Minister Golob: Slovenia's reputation in the international community further enhanced by hard work this year.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon inaugurated the 28th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju. In her address, the Minister highlighted Slovenia’s achievements in 2024, with a particular focus on the country’s role in the UN Security Council, the establishment of new diplomatic and consular missions to enhance partnerships, and the challenges anticipated for 2025..

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food has issued an open call to citizens, legal persons or other organisations for the identification of candidates for the 2025 Golden Bee Award. The call was approved last week at a meeting of the Golden Bee Award Committee, which was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in 2021 and chaired by the Minister Mateja Čalušić.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob congratulates the new president of the Constitutional court, Dr. Rok Čeferin.

The SIChain EIPS project that is part of the Important Project of Common European Interest – Next-Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS) demonstrates that Slovenians can also play a key role in Europe's digital breakthrough.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, where she, on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Spain, commended the Albanian government for the progress in the EU enlargement process achieved within a short timeframe. She underscored that this success represents an important step forward not only for Albania but also for the European Union as a whole. She welcomed Albania’s progress and the opening of negotiations on a new cluster.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, where Montenegro provisionally closed three negotiating chapters. Speaking on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Italy, Minister Fajon commended Montenegro's progress on its European path, expressing hope that the country will sustain this momentum and become the next EU member state.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Ministers discussed continued support for Ukraine, the situation in Georgia and the Middle East, with a focus on Syria.

In the run-up to Christmas, Prime Minister Robert Golob visited residents of the Danica Vogrinec Nursing Home in Maribor and later met with the management of the Maribor Inter-Municipal Housing Fund.

On Thursday 19 December 2024, the Reading Room and the Information Room will be open until 12 noon.

On both Fridays, 27 December 2024 and 3 January 2025, the Archives will be closed for collective leave.

In the new episode of the government GOVSI podcast, hosted by Petra Bezjak Cirman, we delved into the world of statistics with guests Apolonija Oblak Flander, Director-General of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS), and Martin Bajželj, Head of the Data Publishing and Communication Sector. They discussed the importance of statistics for everyday decision-making, societal governance, and economic development.

At today's session, the Government adopted a proposal for an amendment to the Municipal Financing Act, which provides systemic solutions for covering additional costs of municipalities and a starting point for the preparation of legislative proposals on Roma issues. It also reviewed the List of Beneficiaries of the Eighth Set of Advance Payments for the Reconstruction of Housing Due to Floods and Landslides from August 2023.

Ljubljana, 12 December 2024 – The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals to co-finance integrated energy-saving renovation of municipality-owned buildings.

On December 10, 2024, the Ambassador hosted a reception for the Slovenian community in Washington on the occasion of the 34th Day of Slovenian Independence and Unity. Photographer Alenka Slavinec organized the opening of a photography exhibition about Lipizzaner horses, whose story is inseparably connected to Operation Cowboy, which enabled some of the horses to return to Lipica.

The delegation of Slovenia, comprising the Director-General for International Law, Dr Marko Rakovec, acting as agent, alongside legal representatives Prof. Dr Vasilka Sancin and Dr Daniel Müller, appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague during the hearing on the request for an advisory opinion regarding the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted for political consultations the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Megi Fino, who also met separately with State Secretary Melita Gabrič. All three expressed their satisfaction with the friendly relations between the two countries.

In December, construction work on the Slovenian Centre for Large Fires in the Natural Environment was completed in Sežana to facilitate a greater number of activities and firefighting training events. This is an investment in social and economic resilience to climate-related natural disasters in Slovenia – SLO SERCID.

Today, the Council of the European Union comprising finance ministers approved an amendment to Slovenia's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). This is a minor amendment, mainly relating to the method of implementing seven measures.

On the occasion of world Human Rights Day, Slovenia's foreign policy message – Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – reaffirms its commitment to promoting the respect for and protection of human rights, particularly within the framework of international organisations.

Slovenia has received the remainder and the bulk of the European Union Solidarity Fund aid intended for recovery and reconstruction following the devastating floods that hit the country in August 2023. The European Commission recently transferred an additional EUR 328.4 million to Slovenia's Ministry of Finance, topping up the EUR 100 million advance payment received at the end of last year.

During her visit to Podgorica, Minister Tanja Fajon officially opened the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre, an initiative of Slovenia, France and Montenegro. She also signed the new development cooperation programme between the Slovenian and Montenegrin governments and met with senior Montenegrin officials.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, is hosting a regional expert event in Ljubljana entitled “Women in Peace and Security Efforts – Perspectives from South-Eastern Europe and Ukraine”. The event was opened by State Secretary Melita Gabrič.

The first United Nations human rights treaty – the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – was adopted on 9 December 1948, one day before the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Robert Golob and his partner Tina Gaber attended the inauguration of the renovated Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris yesterday.

The Director of the Government Communication Office, Petra Bezjak Cirman, presented the challenges of identifying disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference, and the awareness-raising campaign Stop Disinformation: READ, THINK, CHECK, at the Strategic Communication in the Contemporary Security Environment training, which took place from 3 to 6 December at Jable Castle in Mengeš.

In recent days, a video with false and misleading claims about the possibility of entering Slovenia has garnered a lot of attention on the social network X.

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on 3 December, Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted representatives from the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS), the Sonček – Cerebral Palsy Association of Slovenia, the Altra Society, the Poglej Society and the YHD Association for Theory and Culture of Handicap.

The Minister of Education, Vinko Logaj, attends the grand opening of renovated and new premises of the Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Ljubljana. The renovation was funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and with integrated budget funds.

At the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon stressed the importance of this forum and the need to ensure the functioning of the OSCE, including stable funding. The main topic of discussion at the Malta meeting was Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

At today's session, the Government took a number of important decisions. Among other things, it finalised the text of the draft Act Determining Additional Intervention Measures to Ensure Accessibility in Healthcare and the text of the Act Amending the Pharmacy Practice Act, and adopted amendments to the Long-Term Care Act.

Today marks an important milestone with the signing of the founding charter of ZAŠKO – the cross-border sports coordination body. This important step brings us closer to the formal implementation and government approval of this initiative, which aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation through sport.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. The discussions focused on Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as on key strategic priorities as NATO marks its 75th anniversary this year. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs met and held their first consultations with the new Secretary General, Mark Rutte.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Vevče swimming centre project.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Development of prisoners’ competences.

At the Cairo Ministerial Conference, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon discussed the prospects for lasting solutions for Gaza and the Middle East as a whole with participants from more than 90 countries and international organisations.

Slovenian stakeholders are becoming key players in tapping the potential of the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3), a ground-breaking European initiative launched in 2022 by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).

In November, as the presidency of the UN Security Council was held by the United Kingdom, Slovenia co-sponsored two briefings, one on the denuclearisation of North Korea and the other on imminent famine in Gaza. State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, where he called for the Security Council to take more decisive action on the conflicts..

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Slovenia, organised a presentation for Slovenian companies on the possibilities of their participation in the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) projects. The aim of the event was to attract more Slovenian companies to participate in WBIF projects.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received in Ljubljana Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, and Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, as part of the second meeting of the so-called Trilateral.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations in Tashkent with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Muzaffarbek Anvarbekovich. The two officials reviewed bilateral cooperation and committed to strengthening economic cooperation, in line with the 2023 economic cooperation agreement.

To mark the Mediterranean Day, a round table discussion was organised in the atrium of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) under the title The Power of Journalism and Music as a Means of Intercultural Dialogue«. The event was enriched with the performance of the exceptional Syrian musician Rami Basisah, whose story was presented to the international audience by Slovenian journalist Boštjan Videmšek.

In the latest, 15th episode of the GOVSI podcast, the guest is the Chief Labor Inspector, Katja Čoh Kragolnik. Host Zoran Potič discussed pressing issues surrounding workers’ rights, legislation, and the practical role of the Labor Inspectorate with her.

At today’s session, the Government of Slovenia adopted a transitional law to enable a thoughtful and socially just coal exit in the Šaleška Valley. It also determined proposals for the Passport Act and amendments to the laws on identity cards, banking, the central register of insured persons and beneficiaries of mandatory pension and disability insurance rights, and confirmed amendments to the Reconstruction Act.

The meeting of the General Affairs Council dedicated to cohesion policy was held ahead of the start of the mandate of the new European Commission. The ministers discussed ways to strengthen the key assets of cohesion policy. The Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek underscored the importance of cohesion policy for an integrated and sustainable development and success of the European Union.

On 25 and 26 November 2024, we hosted the international conference Geographical Indications and Collective Marks: Tradition, Quality, and Identity for Sustainable Competitiveness at Congress Centre Brdo.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has launched a call for proposals to support the inclusion of graduates in business development projects in border problem areas. The aim of the call for proposals is to promote the employment of graduates in companies operating in border problem areas.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob attended the Slovenian Economic Summit, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.