News

Slovenian Regional Development Fund opened an exhibition at the Ribnica Castle to mark its 30th anniversary, showcasing three decades of work and impact. Numerous representatives of national and local institutions, development organisations and funding recipients from across Slovenia gathered to celebrate three decades of working together to reduce regional disparities and foster sustainable development.

Protecting consumers and maintaining their confidence are key to ensuring the long-term viability of the beekeeping sector, but measures must be taken immediately. This is one of the conclusions reached on the second day of the International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination held in Maribor.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater infrastructure development in Prebold. The European Regional Development Fund will contribute over €522,000 to support the project.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia reallocated expenditure rights with the aim of improving the general government balance by €133 million. It extended temporary reintroduced controls at the borders with Croatia and Hungary until 21 December 2026 and included the project Battery electricity storage systems – companies in the Development Programmes Plan 2026–2029.

The third annual meeting under the second Swiss Contribution took place on 20 May 2026.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Development of a public park by the Semič Cultural Centre. The European Regional Development Fund will support the project by contributing over €600,000.

State Secretary Neva Grašič participated in the annual quadrilateral meeting held in Fribourg, Switzerland, on 19 May 2026. Bringing together Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland at the level of deputy foreign ministers, the meeting was hosted by Swiss State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel.

The sixth Golden Bee Award was presented in celebration of World Bee Day. This year's winners are the Bee-etal Lab research group from Spain which, among other things, develop advanced methods for controlling invasive species. Their most notable achievement to date is the successful eradication of the invasive Asian hornet in Mallorca. The golden statue was presented to them by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.

On the occasion of World Bee Day, Slovenia is hosting the third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination today and tomorrow. The event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the support of the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, Apimondia.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the renovation of the Novo mesto city market. The project will receive €3.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Renovation of the building at Cesta 1. Maja 17 street in Kranj. European Regional Development Fund contribution for the project stands at €1.64 million.

State Secretary for National and International Security at the Prime Minister’s Office, Vojko Volk, stated after today’s session of the Secretariat of the National Security Council that the Director-General of the Police had informed the members of the Secretariat that the Police had received a report on the investigation into the recordings that had been made public before the elections.

Many of the measures introduced in Slovenia under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, implemented with the support of EU funds under the Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU, have already been successfully completed or will be by August 2026. They also include a measure aimed at strengthening sustainable mobility by increasing railway infrastructure capacity.

On the occasion of Slovenian Diplomacy Day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon for the first time presented new awards to Ministry employees in recognition of their exceptional professional accomplishments: “As a sign of respect and gratitude, I am presenting these awards to the people who, with their knowledge, dedication and professionalism, have played a significant role in the success of Slovenian diplomacy.”

State Secretary Tina Heferle attended the MED9 meeting of interior ministers from Mediterranean EU member states, held on 18-19 May 2026, in Rovinj, Croatia. Discussions focused on preventing irregular migration, protecting the European Union’s external borders to ensure a safer Mediterranean, and combating maritime drug trafficking.

Today we celebrate the first Lipizzaner Day, which was proclaimed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia earlier this year. For Slovenia, 19 May holds special historical and cultural significance, as it marks the founding of the Lipica Stud Farm in 1580.

On August 15, 2026 and August 17, 2026 the Consulate General will be offering consular hours in Denver, Colorado.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development today hosted a ceremony marking the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028. The event was held at Villa Podrožnik, the protocol residence of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

Today marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), held this year under the theme At the heart of democracy.

Representatives of the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration presented Slovenian practices and experience in the field of nuclear cyber security in Vienna from 11 to 15 May 2026 and took part in discussions on future challenges facing the sector.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the annual session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, hosted by Moldova. “Today, we have taken a significant step towards establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. By doing so, we are sending a clear message that respect for international law is not an option. It is a necessity and a shared responsibility,” she emphasised.

For the second year running, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs welcomed university and high school students, who took on the roles of diplomats and simulated international negotiations within the framework of the United Nations, under the auspices of the United Nations Association of Slovenia.

According to official data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenia recorded year-on-year economic growth of 3% in the first quarter of this year. Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič emphasised that the figures clearly demonstrate the resilience of the Slovenian economy and counter forecasts of economic stagnation or decline.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Noršinska ulica street project – phase 2. The project will receive more than €348,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

On the 71st anniversary of the signing of the Austrian State Treaty (ADP), the Republic of Slovenia once again reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting the Slovenian minority in Austrian Carinthia and Styria in their efforts to fully realise their rights as set out in Article 7 of the ADP.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Final phase of the Bleiweis Park. The European Regional Development Fund will contribute over €740,000 to support the project.

At today’s session, the Government defined measures to improve the general government balance and took note of the report on the situation at worksites on Slovenian motorways and expressways. It adopted amendments to the programme for the use of Climate Fund resources, thereby providing companies with an additional €10 million, and set the funding for incentives for electro-intensive companies at €30 million for 2026.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Lendava business incubator. The European Regional Development Fund will contribute €1.67 million to the project.

At the ministerial meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans group and the Western Balkan countries in Bratislava, Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon reiterated her country's support for EU enlargement. She also called on EU countries that have not yet endorsed the Slovenian-German proposal for qualified majority voting on certain procedural steps in the enlargement process to do so.

Many of the measures introduced in Slovenia under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, implemented with the support of EU funds under the Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU, have already been successfully completed or will be by August 2026. Among these measures is the sustainable renovation of buildings to improve their energy efficiency.

Slovenia’s two-year term on the Executive Council began on 12 May 2026. At the 30th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, held in November 2025, Slovenia received 122 votes, the highest number among candidates from the Eastern European Group. “This is recognition of Slovenia’s active and responsible role in the international community,” emphasised Minister Fajon.

At the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, Minister Tanja Fajon stressed that the Union must maintain a visible and active engagement in the Western Balkans and that enlargement must remain a political priority. She also expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East and reaffirmed Slovenia’s position that the EU and its partners must continue to exert pressure on Russia, as there are no indications that it is prepared to end its aggression against Ukraine.

State Secretary Neva Grašič attended an informal meeting of EU ministers and state secretaries for European affairs in Lefkosia. The agenda, drawn up by the Cyprus Presidency, included the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is also regularly discussed at General Affairs Council meetings. The focus was on how to respond to major crises, as set out in the proposal for the next MFF.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Purchase of flats from the Velenje Coal Mine. The Just Transition Fund has ring fenced a total of 5 million euros to support the project.

Today, we celebrate both Europe Day and the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today. In response to war and destructive nationalism, European states have achieved lasting
peace and prosperity by gradually deepening their cooperation. Today, we celebrate Europe as a beacon of a better future.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremonial session of the Ljubljana City Council, accompanied by his wife, Tina Gaber Golob.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob received European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who is visiting Slovenia this week as part of the Europe Day celebrations.

The 70th Meeting of the IWC Scientific Committee, held alongside meetings of other IWC subsidiary and expert bodies since 24 April, concludes today. This is the eighth time that Bled has hosted the event. The meeting was organised by the IWC Secretariat with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

At today's session, the Government added the final piece to the double-track Divača–Koper railway line's mosaic by adopting an investment programme for a third track and including an Investment in a new construction and Palfinger machinery project in the 2026–2029 Development Programme Plan. It also adopted amendments to the Decree on the method of remitting personal income tax to municipalities, thereby easing pressure on municipal budgets during the annual holiday allowance payment period.

Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič stressed that the state of public finances in Slovenia is not catastrophic. However, Slovenia is facing extreme pressures on public finances, as are many other European countries. He said that these developments require a prompt, serious and responsible policy response.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the Kingdom of Belgium is announcing a vacancy for a full-time driver/courier for a fixed term of one year, with the possibility of extension, starting tentatively in August 2026. The contract will be concluded in accordance with Belgian (local) legislation.

On 9 May, Europe celebrates Europe Day – a day dedicated to peace, cooperation and respect for diversity. These are also the fundamental values of sport.

The Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek today attended the high-level event marking the official launch of the Right to Stay Strategy at the invitation of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffael Fitto. The event took place in the European Parliament and brought together high-level representatives of EU member states and regions who affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cohesion and resilience of EU regions.

Did you know that the territory of present-day Slovenia lay along important Roman trade routes? That Slavic-speaking peoples settled here in the sixth and seventh centuries? That after World War I, Slovenians did not live within a single state? How did Slovenia’s path to independence unfold?

Minister Klemen Boštjančič attended a meeting of the European Union’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Brussels. The ministers discussed new rules that will grant the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Anti-Fraud Office access to VAT data at the EU level, thereby strengthening the fight against fraud. They also discussed responses to the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East.

This year, the sixth Golden Bee Award will be presented, thus concluding the second cycle of fields in which the awards are presented. The award committee received 12 nominations from nine countries for achievements in the field of research on bees and other pollinators.

On July 11, 2026 and July 12, 2026 the Consulate General will be offering consular hours in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania.

On June 3, 2026 the Consulate General will be offering consular hours in Detroit, Michigan.

Representatives of the Slovenian Maritime Administration (SMA) attended the 6th international conference ADRIASPILLCON2026 (Adriatic Oil Spill Conference), which took place in Zadar, Croatia, from April 21 to 23, 2026.

In April Slovenian Water Agency attended meeting of the Permanent Slovenian-Croatian Commission for Water Management in Zagreb, marked the World Earth Day and highlighted the importance of water as a fundamental natural resource affecting health, safety and quality of life, participated in the consultation “Municipal Spatial Plans – (Lost) Opportunities and Risks for the Development of Local Communities and Slovenia,” and presented measures, implemented in operation Reducing flood risk in the Savinja River Basin – Phase 1, that are currently underway.