News

On the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum, Ms. Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, and Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), signed a €4 million agreement to support the Agency’s work over the next four years (2025 – 2028), including €1 million per year in fully flexible funding.

The Archivalia of the Month section features the Archivalia of the month of September, which presents the interesting life story of oncologist Majda Mačkovšek Peršič, from the concentration camp to the Oncology Institute, prepared by Anja Paulič

Two short documents from June 1967 and January 1968, which discuss the procedure for appointing oncologist Dr. Majda Mačkovšek Peršič (1919-2014) to the position of the chief physician, provide a starting point for presenting her remarkable life's journey, marked by both great challenges and great achievements. Her work was characterized by »critical judgement in professional matters, her unwavering dedication to her patients, and good relations with her colleagues«.

At the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen, under the Danish EU Presidency, ministers addressed the decision of the United States to deny visas to the Palestinian delegation to the UN General Assembly in September. Minister Fajon urged her EU counterparts to take measures against Israel, either by consensus or, if necessary, by qualified majority.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain strongly condemn the most recent Israeli offensive launched in the Strip and the announcement to establish a permanent presence in Gaza City.

As part of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, an informal meeting of European Union defence ministers was held in Copenhagen on 28 and 29 August 2025, attended by Minister of Defense Borut Sajovic.

The 20th International Conference of the Bled Strategic Forum will take place in Bled on 1 and 2 September 2025.

Minister Jevšek attended the grand opening of Super 8 in Nova Gorica, a building located at the junction between the urban areas of Gorizia in Italy and Nova Gorica in Slovenia. With the revitalization of the area along the railway tracks, the two countries are developing what is to be the first European conurbation. ''I am sure this place will become a vibrant cultural venue and a fun and lively meeting place for people from all walks of life'', said Minister Jevšek in his opening remarks.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon opened the 29th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats attended by the heads of Slovenian diplomatic and consular missions abroad. Slovenian diplomats were addressed by Prime Minister Robert Golob. Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, also participated as a special guest via video link.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar met with his Macedonian counterpart Panče Toškovski in Ohrid.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the annual consultation of Slovenian diplomacy held on 28 and 29 August 2025.

At today's session, the Government adopted plans to implement the financial instrument for two financial engineering measures and increased Slovenia's contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help alleviate global humanitarian crises. The Government also adopted the Decree on the National Spatial Plan for the connecting road – Maribor Western Bypass, which will improve traffic flow in the city.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Medical equipment for hospitals.

Following intense diplomatic efforts, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is delighted to see the return of Venetian renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio’s painting depicting Madonna with Child and Saints to the monastery church of St. Francis in Piran.

The meeting between Prime Minister Robert Golob and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, focused mainly on presenting the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

Minister Tanja Fajon hosted the Palestinian Authority's State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin during her first official visit since Slovenia recognised Palestine. The two ministers used this opportunity to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of relations between the two countries, which enables the establishment of a formal framework for a systematic dialogue and regular political and practical cooperation.

Ambassador Tina Vodnik presented her letters of credence to the President of the Argentine Republic, Javier Gerardo Milei at the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace.

Under the honorary patronage of Minister Tanja Fajon, a youth dialogue was held in Brdo pri Kranju within the framework of the international project SIT DOWN – Peace Child in Concert. More than 170 young artists, representatives of 19 nationalities, including those from crisis areas such as Palestine and Ukraine, held a discussion with Minister Fajon and other participants on global challenges, also featured in the musical Peace Child.

This issue focuses mostly on the Bled Strategic Forum.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Laboratory for biomass bio-refining research in the Savinjsko-Šaleška region (Velenje).