News

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob met today with U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew G. Whitaker. At the outset, the Prime Minister highlighted the excellent and friendly relations between Slovenia and the United States, which are also reflected in their joint efforts for peace and stability in the Western Balkans.

On the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Špoljarić signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reaffirming and further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Slovenia and the ICRC in the field of humanitarian action and the promotion of international humanitarian law.

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.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum, which this year is running under the slogan "A Runaway World". This year's edition focuses on how to strengthen effective governance, strategic sovereignty and trust in an increasingly polarised world in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

With her address, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon opened the 20th edition of the Bled Strategic Forum international conference entitled "A Runaway World". “In a world that often seems to be spinning out of control, principled leadership matters. Slovenia is an excellent proof that even a small country can lead – with courage, conscience and a commitment to justice, human dignity and international law," stated Minister Fajon.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič held political consultations in Bled with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Muzaffarbek Madrakhimov. These consultations followed the successful visit of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to Slovenia in May this year with a large economic delegation.

Shortly before the start of this year's 20th anniversary edition of the Bled Strategic Forum international conference, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted a high-level women's forum comprising foreign ministers, senior representatives of international organisations and members of national parliaments and the European Parliament. Their discussions focused on decency in politics, a highly relevant matter in the current climate of rising authoritarianism.

In August, Panama held the presidency of the UN Security Council. The situation in the Middle East dominated the Council’s work this month, particularly the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has led to famine being declared. Due to Iran's non-compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement, France, Germany and the United Kingdom demanded that UN sanctions be reimposed.

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«.

Before the official start of the Bled Strategic Forum 2025, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon engaged in dialogue with the participants of the 14th annual Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF). They discussed how values can be a driving force in global politics. Minister Fajon emphasised that, in politics, it is important to maintain strong principles and uphold them.

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.