News

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, where ministers discussed the EU's role in peace efforts in Gaza, with an emphasis on humanitarian and security aspects. They also touched on the importance of continued comprehensive support for Ukraine. Minister Fajon will later attend a ministerial meeting on interregional security and connectivity.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has expressed strong indignation in response to reports of vandalism in Austrian Carinthia, where Slovenian place names on bilingual local signs in the municipalities of Železna Kapla and Pliberk were defaced with paint.

Together with Costa Rica, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Slovenia organised a high-level event to launch the progress report on the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. The Initiative brings together 91 countries with the aim of strengthening respect for international humanitarian law and humanity in modern armed conflicts.

On the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Slovenia reaffirms its commitment to eradicating poverty as the first goal of sustainable development in Agenda 2030. As a developed donor, Slovenia contributes to the eradication of poverty around the world through development cooperation and humanitarian aid, which is based on the global responsibility to a world where every individual should have equal opportunities for a dignified life.

In the new episode of the GOVSI government podcast, host Petra Bezjak Cirman talks with Marijan Papež, long-time Director General of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZPIZ). The conversation focuses on the pension reform adopted by the National Assembly in September. Whether it will actually be implemented depends on the outcome of the ongoing signature collection for a referendum.

Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), chaired a panel at the #Disinfo2025 conference on how to initiate the »de-shitification« of our online experience. Experts Maarten Schenk and Marc Faddoul shared their views on how we can actively contribute to a better online experience and strengthen digital responsibility.

The Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN Office in Geneva and the Bled Strategic Forum, in cooperation with Interpeace, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Geneva Call, organised a panel discussion entitled "International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Action for Peace: Protecting People, Building Futures."

Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, is paying his first official visit to Slovenia at the invitation of Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in strategically important sectors, and to open up new opportunities for collaboration.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia reviewed the draft Act on the Payment of the Winter Allowance and approved the draft amendment to the Social Security Act. The Government also adopted the Strategy for the Development of Quantum Technologies in Slovenia until 2035, which encompasses research, infrastructure, human resources, knowledge transfer, and support mechanisms, and provides a systemic response to the challenges and opportunities of quantum technology development.

Slovenia has fast-forwarded absorption of EU funds, according to the data published yesterday by the European Commission. The country has moved up 11 places in criterion ‘’funds decided’’, i.e. financial resources allocated to selected projects (project pipeline). ‘’This shows that we prepared well-thought-out measures to improve absorption back at the start of the year. We will keep working hard to reach the top,’’ said Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek on this occasion.

As part of the government’s regional visit, Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob continued his activities in Lendava, where he also concluded the visit.

State Secretary Tina Heferle attended the meeting of interior ministers of the Berlin Process countries in London.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and members of the Government visited the Pomurje region today, starting their visit with a session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in Murska Sobota.

Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, presented the 2024 report on international development cooperation to the Committee on Foreign Policy of the Slovenian National Assembly, together with senior representatives of Caritas Slovenia, the Sloga platform and the Centre for European Perspective. The presentation was followed by a debate among deputies on Slovenia's activities in this field.

In his opening speech at the #Disinfo2025, Vojko Volk said that we are living in a very complicated and difficult time of disinformation. The State Secretary for National and International Security at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia stressed that every day we are fighting disinformation, which is attacking our values.

At today's session, the Government adopted the proposed Act on the intervention measure to extend the validity of annual electronic vignettes. It also decided to reclassify the H5 and H6 expressways as main roads, where no toll will be charged for passenger cars, and took note of the progress of the merger of the Pomurje Science and Innovation Centre with the "Jožef Stefan" Institute.

Prime Minister Robert Golob participated in this year’s Congress of Economic Democracy, where he also addressed the attendees.

Slovenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing 176 votes in the UN General Assembly in New York. Angola, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam and the United Kingdom were elected alongside Slovenia for this term.

The 13th Slovenian Development Days have opened in Ljubljana under the title Business for Global Solidarity, highlighting the crucial role of the business sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering humanitarian aid.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar is attending the European Union (EU) Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Fran Ramovš Institute of the Slovenian Language at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU).

The European Commission today gave a preliminary positive assessment to the fourth request for payment of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Slovenia is expected to receive payment of the request, amounting to just under EUR 440 million, before the end of this year.

Prime Minister Robert Golob: I welcome the Peace plan to end the war in Gaza, which was put forward by the US President and with the help of other partners from the Middle East region.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Golob, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is today paying an official visit to Slovenia. This is the first visit of its kind in seven years, and the first to Slovenia since Secretary-General Rutte assumed his current position.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the 71st Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana, where he also addressed the participants.

At the October film event of the 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Days (LAC Days), Cuba's efforts to enhance climate resilience were showcased in the documentary Cuba's Life Task: Combating Climate Change.

State Secretary Neva Grašič hosted a meeting of the MED9 group’s State Secretaries for EU Affairs in Portorož. The participants discussed current foreign policy issues, competitiveness and the EU budget. The MED9 group, which brings together nine Mediterranean EU member states, has been chaired by Slovenia for the first time this year. With nine voices being stronger than one, this is an important forum for coordination and the exchange of views.

The Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, participated in the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Berlin Process in Belfast at the invitation of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the Global Gateway Board meeting, where senior representatives of EU governments discussed priorities for the continued implementation of the Global Gateway strategy.

''Different EU instruments have supported cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary ever since 2004. The previous three generations of Interreg programme Slovenia-Hungary saw 67 projects worth altogether 42.8 million euros come to life. I am happy to announce that another call for proposals for standard projects is coming out tomorrow,'' said Minister Jevšek in his opening remarks at the Szentgotthárd/Monošter Forum, an initiative launched back in 2015.

At today’s session, the Government adopted the Decree on the Organisation, Equipment and Training of Protection, Rescue and Relief Forces, took note of the draft budgetary plan of the general government sector for 2026, and appointed Damjan Petrič as Director General of the Police.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is paying a visit to Slovenia today and tomorrow at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to meetings with senior state representatives, High Commissioner Türk and Minister Fajon participated in a discussion entitled Building Our Common Future, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.

UN Human Rights Council concluded its 60th session. At Slovenia's initiative, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons was extended, and at the EU's initiative, a mechanism was established to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Afghanistan. Professor Veronika Fikfak, a Slovenian expert, was elected as member of the Council's Advisory Board.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs marked the start of the new academic year with a guest lecture by Prof. Mojmir Mrak, a renowned expert on international economic issues and lecturer at the business faculties of Ljubljana and Vienna. Introductory remarks were given by State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Diplomatic Academy’s Head, Dr Andraž Zidar.

Minister Jevšek and his team stopped in Velenje to visit several EU-funded projects. In Velenje city centre, they learned more about the progress made in renovating the Cankarjeva ulica road and transforming the former power plant into a new business incubator. Before conducting field visits, the ministers met for a government session.

At today's session, the Government began consideration of the proposed Act on the gradual closure of the Velenje Coal Mine and the starting points for the drafting of a proposed Act on the economic development restructuring of the Savinja-Šalek region. It also took note of information on measures and investments in watercourses, which have amounted to nearly EUR 1 billion over the past two years.

Two years have passed since the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on Israel, in which 1,200 innocent people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. As a result of Israel's relentless offensive, Gaza has been completely destroyed. More than 65,000 civilians have been killed, including 18,000 children.

Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,000 Israelis were killed, was a crime that should not be minimized or underestimated.

State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, undertook a joint visit to Skopje and Pristina. The State Secretary stressed the importance of the European perspective for the socio-economic development of both countries and for the stability of the Western Balkans for Europe. She also advocated for the resolution of outstanding regional issues and expressed support for the ambitious goal of achieving EU integration for the region by 2030.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed to visitors and users of archival records on October 8 and 9, 2025, due to a two-day professional event.

Between 5 and 7 October 2025 in Portorož, Slovenia is hosting an informal meeting of MED ministers of agriculture. Today’s conference focused on strengthening the agriculture’s resilience, promoting innovations and implementing measures at the EU level, also from the perspective of the proposals for a Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2027. The ministers adopted a joint declaration containing key guidelines for the sustainable development of agriculture in the region.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Ensuring appropriate use of karst grasslands and rock faces for the conservation of selected habitat types and species in the Natura 2000 area Karst.

At the 2nd High-Level Forum and the 29th EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting, Minister Tanja Fajon underlined that, in the current geopolitical climate, it is now more important than ever for the two regions to strengthen their connection and cooperation. Recalling the lessons of the past, she referenced the wars and suffering in the former Yugoslavia, as well as the international frameworks established in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Renovation of the former school of commerce.

The Fitch credit rating agency yesterday upgraded Slovenia's credit rating from A to A+ with a stable outlook. Following the improved outlook in the spring, this latest upgrade further confirms confidence in Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the 2025 presentation of the Republic of Slovenia's national awards in the field of education. This award, which is the highest recognition in the field of education, is presented annually by the Ministry of Education.

On 23 October 2025, Slovenia will present a remarkable story of integrating culture, economy and foreign policy in Vienna, one of the world's most important centres of diplomacy. Under the honorary patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, the famous Wiener Konzerthaus will host a performance of the musical Peace Child, organised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for a call for proposals to promote investment in economic restructuring in the Zasavje and Savinjsko-Šaleška coal regions under the Just Transition Fund for the period 2025-2028.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved European funds for the project National culture and arts education hub – culture bazaar.

On the second day of his working visit to Denmark, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the seventh summit of the European Political Community, hosted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

At today’s session, the Government adopted a proposal to amend the Service in the Slovenian Armed Forces Act. The amendment aims to regulate working hours and certain other employment rights for the duration of specific military activities. It also adopted significant changes to toll collection for freight vehicles, introducing higher tolls for those who pollute more.

On 30 September 2025, State Secretary Neva Grašič addressed participants at the conference titled 'Strategies for Competitiveness, Industry Leaders and Supply Heads Chains', held at the Grand Hotel Union. The event was organised by Confindustria Slovenia, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Italian Republic and the Italian Trade Agency.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government and the summit of the European Political Community in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1 and 2 October 2025.

During the High-level General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the work of the UN Security Council, under the presidency of the Republic of Korea, was particularly intense. The Council devoted a great deal of attention to Gaza and the wider Middle East, held its regular annual debate on peacekeeping operations and met to discuss drone incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for a call for proposals for Important Projects of Common European Interest in the field of batteries and innovations related to battery technologies – the EuBatIn project.

Today, on 1 October, we mark the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme is “Older persons driving local and global action: Our aspirations, our well-being and our rights.”

The Archivalia of the Month section features the Archivalia of the month of October, which presents a self-reflection and insightful analysis by Ciril Zlobec, one of the most important Slovenian cultural figures of the second half of the 20th century, at Republic Square in May 1995, which, even three decades after its creation, still accurately reflects today's socio-political reality. The text was prepared by Žiga Koncilija.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Tom Potokar, a retired surgeon of Slovenian descent, who has worked in numerous crisis areas, most recently in Gaza.

The Director-General of the Slovenian Prison Administration and a representative of the General Office for International Cooperation participated in Kraków at the EuroPris Annual General Meeting and at the 30th Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services.

Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek spoke at an event highlighting the progress made in establishing the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the opening ceremony of the 24th Festival of the Third Age.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended today's Civil Defence Day celebration, which was held under the title Civil Defence Strengthens Resilience, and addressed the gathering.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Managing chronic diseases by enhancing health literacy (ZaPrePis).

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, in cooperation with public research organizations in Slovenia, has produced a scientific diplomacy factsheet, entitled “Slovenia's Research & Innovation landscape”, which contributes to the presentation, promotion, and opening up of Slovenia's scientific research and innovation landscape to the international community.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, has visited the Slovenian community in Cleveland, Ohio between 25 and 27 September 2025.

"The Crow's Flight is proof that a small nation in the heart of Europe can write a great story"

The Slovenian Science Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi, the Embassy of India in Ljubljana and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi worked together to organise the first Slovenian-Indian Festival of Science, Innovation, Smart Technologies and the Economy.

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 two members of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Renovation of the Narodni dom building (cultural centre).

Slovenia has been a NATO member for more than two decades, yet debates about defense spending and the role of the Alliance remain lively. On the occasion of Civil Defense Day, the guest of the GOVSI podcast was Dr. Jelena Juvan, Head of the Defense Studies Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The High-level Week of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly's 80th session is drawing to a close in New York, where Minister Tanja Fajon participated in numerous high-level meetings. In her addresses, she urged leaders to engage in dialogue, seek political solutions and promote tolerance and the protection of civilians. She expressed hope that by the next session, wars will have ended, the UN will be stronger and debates will focus on the future.

The Slovenian government has approved a financial contribution of EUR 1.2 million to support the Palestinian Authority. In doing so, Slovenia has joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority. The Coalition was launched by France, Norway, Spain and Saudi Arabia at last year's Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution meeting in New York.

State Secretary of European Affairs Igor Mally today received a delegation hailing from the France-Slovenia Friendship Group in the Senate of the French Republic.

The Government approved the draft state budgets for 2026 and 2027, together with accompanying budget documents, and adopted the draft amendment to the Tax Procedure Act. It also adopted a measure against Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and allocated EUR 1,200,000 for the functioning of the Palestinian Authority in 2025.

The Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia regularly monitors compliance with labour legislation regarding working hours, rest periods, overtime work, and occupational safety and health, including in the retail sector.

State Secretary for Cohesion mag. Marko Koprivc participated in a political panel Role of Industry and Critical Infrastructure in Strengthening Civilian Preparedness and National Resilience at the Dual Use Slovenia 2025 Conference that was held in Ljubljana today.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the Dual Use Slovenia 2025 Conference: The Role of Industry and Critical Infrastructure in Strengthening Civil and National Resilience, where he also addressed the audience.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the opening of the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. On the same day, she also delivered addresses at two Security Council meetings concerning Ukraine and the Middle East. "In both cases, there is aggression – by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and by Israel in Gaza – directed against significantly smaller countries. This must end," she emphasised.

State Secretary Neva Grašič addressed participants at the development conference Slovenia, Competitiveness and Investments, organised by the National Council. She emphasised the importance of developing a strategic vision for Slovenia in a global context: "The choice of investment is a long-term decision that requires strategic thinking and coordinated action by all stakeholders."

Today, the Slovenian Government and the German Federal Government held bilateral consultations on fighting disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

State Secretary Maša Žagar attended the second EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting under the Danish Presidency. At the meeting, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall proposed postponing the implementation of the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) until the end of 2026, an initiative also supported by Slovenia.

As the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip continues to unfold, there is an urgent need to scale up medical treatment of patients from Gaza.

Dear citizens, dear Slovenians at home and abroad, in Slovenia, a special day is dedicated to sport. On 23 September, Slovenia celebrates sport. A celebration that unites, inspires and reminds us that sport is so much more than competition. Sport means caring for our health and community, it instils in us perseverance and pride.

We strongly welcome today's decision by a group of countries to recognize Palestine. We are pleased that this follows Slovenia's decision from last year. Our wish, which we actively advocated for, was for as many countries as possible to join Slovenia.

The high-level week of the general debate of the UN General Assembly's 80th session has begun in New York, with President Nataša Pirc Musar and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon in attendance. On the opening day, discussions centred on the situation in Gaza, with the Minister urging states to follow Slovenia’s example and intensify efforts for a just peace in the Middle East.

At the opening of the High-level Week of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session at UN Headquarters in New York, State Secretary Melita Gabrič signed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel on behalf of Slovenia, which was also one of the first states invited to adopt the Declaration.

“In today's turbulent, restless and uncertain times, we urgently need concrete action to ensure peace. Each of us has a duty to respond, including by promoting understanding, respect and justice in our daily lives," emphasised Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, on today's International Day of Peace, inviting us to "Act Now for a Peaceful World".

State Secretary Neva Grašič has paid a working visit to Spain, where the Slovenian Presidency of the informal MED9 group of Mediterranean EU Member States hosted a working breakfast for representatives of Slovenia and Spain, and the ambassadors of the group's member states. State Secretary Grašič also met with Fernando Sampedro, State Secretary for the European Union, and Maider Makua García, Director of the Department of European Affairs of the Spanish Presidency of the Government and PM’s sherpa.

A first meeting of the Focal group for comprehensive treatment of children and adolescents displaying dangerous behaviour (FS-ONV) was held in the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting was convened at the initiative of Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob, who established the group on 30 June 2025 as an inter-ministerial operational body to respond to the increase in dangerous, in particular violent, behaviour among children and adolescents.

Ambassador Iztok Mirošič hosted an evening with the astronauts, featuring NASA crew members from Expedition 72 at the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington D.C. on September 17, 2025, in collaboration with Space Foundation. Part of the crew was also Sunita Williams, astronaut of Slovenian-Indian heritage from Ohio, who regularly maintains her connections with Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremonial opening of the Park of Safe Mobility that took place as part of this year’s European Mobility Week. Prime Minister Golob also addressed the audience.

Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek, State Secretary Srečko Đurov and their team attended the annual MOS trade fair where they met with the presidents of regional development councils and directors of regional development agencies to discuss the ongoing activities of the ministry regarding cohesion and regional development.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with Nasser Abu Baker, the President of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, to discuss the situation in Palestine, with a focus on the war in Gaza.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič participated in the 2nd Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition in Fortaleza, held under the high patronage of Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The Summit brought together leaders, experts and Coalition partners from around the world to celebrate the progress made since the inaugural global summit in 2023.

At today's session, the Government adopted the starting points for preparing changes in the taxation of natural persons who carry out an activity and for discussing the introduction of a mandatory right of workers to the payment of a 14th monthly salary (Christmas bonus). It also took note of the European Commission's report on the state of the rule of law in the European Union for 2025, which establishes that Slovenia has made progress in practically all the areas discussed.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Development and enhancement of the Centres for the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Addiction.

October 18th and October 20th 2025 the Consulate General will be offering consular hours in the Chicago, Illinois area.

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in June 2022, entered into force. The Agreement entered into force after it was ratified by a two-thirds majority of WTO members and the instrument of acceptance was deposited. This milestone was reached at the ceremony on 15 September 2025 at the special meeting of the WTO General Council.

The tenth edition of the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week in Izola concluded with a forum on ecological connectivity as a key element of green infrastructure. The Mediterranean Coast and Macro-regional Strategies Week featured numerous events attended by more than 300 participants from 20 European countries.

As part of the Government's regional visit, Prime Minister Robert Golob also met with businessmen and mayors from Dolenjska and Bela Krajina.