News

At yesterday's event, experts from the Boards of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) presented to the Slovenian public novelties and practical examples of how to deal with trade mark and design appeals.

Prime Minister dr. Robert Golob and ministers attended the GREMO Mission strategic development conference, which the Prime Minister described as one of the key development projects for the Slovenian economy.

At the correspondence meeting, the government issued an amendment to the Decree on programmes of compulsory health insurance services, the capacities required for their implementation, and the amount of funds for 2023. The government supports the establishment of a register of damage caused by the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine, and the adoption of a declaration to honour the memory of the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine.

On the occasion of today's municipality holiday of Ljubljana – Hero City, the Prime Minister, Robert Golob, attended a formal session of the Ljubljana Municipality Council, where the highest awards of the City of Ljubljana were presented, including the titles of Honorary Citizen of the City of Ljubljana.

It is now 73 years since French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman drafted the declaration establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. The basic aim of this idea, which was conceived only a few years after the end of the Second World War, was to establish closer cooperation between countries in such a way that war between them would no longer be not only unacceptable, but also unfeasible.

The Government has issued a Decree amending the Decree on the environmental tax on air pollution caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a commemorative ceremony on the 78th anniversary of the final battles for the liberation of Ljubljana at Orle and the anniversary of the liberation of the Hero City and its holiday, 9 May.

The sixth World Bee Day will be celebrated on 20 May. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017. Our aim is to raise awareness of the general public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for our survival on this planet.

On 5 May 2023, the Fitch agency affirmed Slovenia's A credit rating with a stable outlook.

At a correspondence meeting, the government formally decided that the artillery platoon of the Slovenian Armed Forces is to participate in Howitzer 2023 training held between 8 and 12 May at the Evgen Kvaternik training range in Slunj, Croatia.

At today's session, the government determined the text of the draft Act on specific matters relating to certain offences committed during the period of validity of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, it adopted the 2023 Development Report and approved the annual plan for the financing and co-financing of investments in sports infrastructure for 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and Slovenian Government ministers support the public and free expression of opinions and the right to peaceful protest.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted bilateral political consultations between Slovenia and Azerbaijan, chaired by State Secretary Samuel Žbogar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov.

Dear residents of Slovenia, citizens and all others who are building the future together with us, Congratulations on the occasion of Labour Day. To all of us.

During the EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week (EU MRS Week), which took place in Brussels from 24 to 28 April 2023, the Slovenian Presidency of the EUSDR chaired the 7th Meeting of Trio Presidencies of Macro-Regional Strategies and the European Commission. The central topic for discussion was the common challenges of the MRS and their further cooperation in the framework of the Trio Presidencies.

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Warsaw is organizing a thematic art workshop on bees.

The Embassy of Slovenia in Tirana will be closed on 1 and 2 May due to the May Day holiday.

Message by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the occasion of the Day of Uprising Against Occupation

At the opening panel of the 4th EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week in Brussels, State Secretary Marko Štucin presented Slovenia's perspective, as the country holding the Presidency of the Strategy for the Danube Region, on the role of macro-regional strategies in addressing current challenges in Europe. The panel was attended by representatives of the four countries holding presidencies of the strategies and Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform.

Today, the Government adopted the Stability Programme 2023 which must be submitted to the European Commission by the end of April each year as part of the European Semester process, as well as a number of other documents.

On 26 April, the member countries of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), including Slovenia, mark World Intellectual Property Day. On this day, a campaign is launched to raise public awareness about intellectual property and its role in fostering innovation and creativity.

Minister Irena Šinko has attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to discuss agricultural topics together with her EU counterparts. An important discussion was held on the situation on agricultural markets, in particular in light of the war in Ukraine, and export limitations for Ukrainian grain imposed by some EU member states. Ministers also exchanged their experience in implementing the strategic plans for the common agricultural policy and discussed the regulative framework for the certification of carbon removals. Slovenia recalled, in the EU Council, the importance of labelling the origin of honey in light of the planned revision of the Honey Directive.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Dr Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the German Federal Foreign Office, for consultations. Their meeting was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in the context of the strategic partnership between the two countries and at enhancing their bilateral cooperation on European affairs.

Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Slovenia, Croatia and Austria in Rijeka. Together with the Croatian Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, who hosted the meeting, and the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, they discussed the possibilities to deepen cooperation between the countries and common challenges.

At a ceremony held in the Radovljica Manor Baroque Hall on Saturday, 22 April 2023, Minister of Culture Dr Asta Vrečko presented the President of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association Boštjan Noč with a certificate on the entry of beekeeping on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

As part of the new EU legislation to be adopted on the sustainable use of plant protection products, a European Commission delegation headed by Deputy Director-General for Health and Food Safety Claire Bury visited Slovenia at the invitation of Minister Irena Šinko.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Daniela Gîtman, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. The talks were aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on current European, regional and international topics and EU enlargement.

The reading room and information room of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia at Zvezdarska 1 Street will be closed on Wednesday, April 26, due to an event. On Friday, April 28, the archive will be closed due to a collective leave day.

The 12th Africa Day International Conference, held under the theme "Africa and Europe: Climate Security for the Future – Global Challenges, Local Actions", brought to Slovenia the largest ever number of participants. At the Brdo pri Kranju Congress Centre, around 350 participants from 50 countries, of which 24 are on the African continent, discussed climate security and possible solutions.

Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration (SNSA), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), organized and participated in a National Training Course on Tools and Techniques for Computer Security Incident Response from April 11 to 14, 2023.

The Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob was the guest of honour at the Gala Celebration at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the publication of the Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the 70th anniversary of the Electrotechnical Association of Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, Mr Thierry Breton. The main topics discussed over a working lunch were the defence industry and the competitiveness of the European economy, with an emphasis on the automotive and energy industries.

Following the European Commission’s preliminary positive assessment of the first payment request for a grant from the Recovery and Resilience Facility in early March, Slovenia has today received a transfer of just under €50 million. “The relevant European institutions have positively assessed the fulfilment of all 12 milestones linked to the first instalment of the grant. The Ministry of Finance, together with the Recovery and Resilience Office, will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the plan and the achievement of the milestones and targets, which are a condition for the payment of the funds from Brussels,” emphasised Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič.

In a month's time, on 20 May, Slovenia and the world will celebrate World Bee Day for the sixth time. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017. The main purpose of World Bee Day is to raise awareness among the international public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in light of food security, the global elimination of hunger and care for the environment and biodiversity.

At today’s session, the Government confirmed the draft revised state budget for 2023, following the Government reorganisation and the reduction in expenditure by EUR 609 million. It also adopted the draft amendment to the Financial Operations, Insolvency Proceedings and Compulsory Dissolution Act, which is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of proceedings.

At Brdo pri Kranju, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon opened the 12th International Africa Day Conference themed “Africa and Europe: Climate Security for the Future – Global Challenges, Local Action”. More than 350 participants from Slovenia and Africa will attend the two-day conference, which will include a rich cultural programme in addition to the political and economic sessions.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today gave a statement of his response to the interpellation in the National Assembly.

At the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Prime Minister Robert Golob ceremoniously signed an agreement between business, science and politics entitled "For a smart, sustainable and competitive Slovenia".

Prime Minister Robert Golob, accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, Matjaž Han, visited Celje and officially opened the 17th International Industrial Fair and Fair Lestech, a wood-processing industry fair.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, together with State Secretary Samuel Žbogar, welcomed the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture of India, Meenakshi Lekhi.

At sessions of government committees, the government, among other things, reallocated EUR 48 million from the general budgetary provisioning to the financial plan of the Ministry of Infrastructure to finance price increases.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon held talks with the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and President and CEO of Kia Motors Corporation, Ho Sung Song. Their discussion focused on strengthening political and economic cooperation between the two countries and on Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan.

The contract for the construction of an aerial firefighting capability – the purchase of smaller aircraft – was signed by the Minister of Defence, Marjan Šarec, the Acting Director General of the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Leon Behin, and the CEO of Air Tractor Europe SL, Rafael Selma Beltrán.

The Ministry of Finance Delegation, headed by Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič, attended the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, held between 11 April and 15 April 2023 in Washington. In the discussions, considerable importance was attached to economic growth, inflation and financial stability.

Concluding her visit to Tanzania, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. The interlocutors exchanged views on a range of current global and regional challenges and committed to strengthening political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Ljubljana hosted political consultations between Slovenia and Mongolia, which were headed by of State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Samuel Žbogar and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Ankhbayar Nyamdorj.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Irena Šinko, met with the Croatian Minister of Agriculture, Marija Vučković, at a farm in Sela pri Ratežu.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued a Decree setting the maximum price of the complementary health insurance premium. It also adopted several replies to parliamentary questions.

The Government extended electricity price regulation for households and small business customers until the end of the year. It also extended the validity of the decree setting the maximum allowable electricity price for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

In the first three months of this year, the Ljubljana Administrative Unit has made significant progress in resolving pending cases in the Civil Registers, Aliens and Nationality Division, Aliens Departments, with more cases being resolved each month than were received. Thus, since January this year, we have reduced the number of pending cases by almost eight thousand.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar met with his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi in Rome today.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concludes her visit to Ethiopia. Today she met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed. They discussed the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the opening of Slovenian embassies in Africa, migration and other current topics.

Slovenia increased its ODA by 48.7% in 2022 compared to the year before. This significant increase is mainly due to Slovenia's exceptional contributions to Ukraine, the care of Ukrainian refugees in Slovenia, the cancellation of the clearing debt of the Republic of Angola and the increased development aid from the EU budget.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the 33rd plenary session of the national Children’s Parliament held at the National Assembly.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is visiting Addis Ababa, where she is hosted by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen. This is the first visit at foreign minister level and an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between Slovenia and Ethiopia, as well as in the light of the forthcoming opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Addis Ababa.

The Government has adopted decree designating 411.36 hectares of the Češeniške and Prevojske gmajne area as the Češeniško Prevojske gmajne Landscape Park.

From April 2023, citizens aged 12 and over will only need to present their new biometric ID card when visiting doctors, pharmacies, opticians and other healthcare providers and suppliers of medicines and medical devices. This means that citizens are now able to use just one document, as the photo on the identity card also removes the need for additional verification of the insured person’s identity.

At today’s session, the Government adopted the framework for the preparation of general government budgets for the 2024–2026 period. The Government also approved the proposed amendment to the State Border Control Act and the Resolution on the National Programme in the Field of Illicit Drugs for the 2023–2030 period.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar visited Gaborone to meet with Botswana’s Foreign Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape. The visit was aimed at strengthening Slovenia's partnerships in the international community and exchanging views on challenges in the region and in the international community.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted a motion to disqualify Constitutional Court judge Dr Dr Klemen Jaklič from ruling on the case of reviewing the constitutionality of the Radiotelevizija Slovenija Act, and at the same time sent the motion to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran will be closed for Easter on Sunday, 9 April, and Monday, 10 April 2023.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the two-day Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, which coincided with the 74th anniversary of the signing of NATO's founding document in 1949, and she also officially welcomed Finland as NATO's 31st member.

Today, the Ministry of the Interior hosted representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Care and Integration of Migrants, and NGOs, in order to develop an integration strategy.

Dr Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, met with Matjaz Gruden, Director for Democratic Participation at the Council of Europe. They discussed current issues and activities planned by the Council of Europe.

In March, the Government adopted the starting points for the preparation of proposed adjustments to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which will, among other things, address the objectives of the REPowerEU plan to reduce dependence on Russian energy. Government representatives today discussed the starting points for the new chapter of the Slovenian Recovery and Resilience Plan with the interested public at a public consultation.

The 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council adopted two important initiatives in which Slovenia is participating. The key UN body responsible for human rights approved the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues and confirmed that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment represents a link between the environment and human rights.

On the basis of the Act on Aid to Ensure Enhanced Air Connectivity, a Public Tender for Enhanced Aviation Connectivity was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia on 04/04/2023. In accordance with Article 10 of the law, the tender documentation is publicly published, however, the English translation is merely an information aid for foreign air carriers when preparing applications for the grant of aid.

The application for aid must be submitted in Slovene language. Submission deadline is 4. 5. 2023.

On 4 April, the Alliance marks its 74th anniversary. On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Slovenia becomes part of the Alliance with the overwhelming support of its citizens.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar hosted the 11th informal meeting of the Ministers of the Interior of the Brdo Process countries in Portorož.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar held consultations with Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia Jenelly Matundu in Namibia from 3 to 4 April 2023. Their discussion focused on enhancing political dialogue and exchanging views on the situation and challenges in the region, with an emphasis on the work of international organisations.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovačevski on an official visit.

The new Transnational Provision of Services Act (ZČmIS-1) was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The Ministry drew up the Act in order to comprehensively address the position of posted workers when carrying out transnational services provided by Slovenian companies and self-employed persons, economic operators, for clients in other EU member states.

At today's correspondence session, the Government decided to include the registered project "Greater Air Connectivity of Slovenia" in the current Development Programmes Plan 2023-2026.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek, hosted the Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesić, on a working visit. They have agreed to propose the establishment of a joint standing committee with Croatia, Austria, and Italy, in order accelerate rail transport.

On Friday, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia sent the National Assembly a reply to the interpellation on its work and the accountability of its work, in which it completely dismissed as unfounded all of the SDS party’s accusations regarding the alleged inadequacy of its conduct.

Following the visit of Prime Minister Robert Golob to Kyiv yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Slovenian nation for its support.

In the second part of his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Edvin Skrt participated in the meeting of EU Directors-General for development cooperation, which took place within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Prime Minister Robert Golob on a bilateral visit to Ukraine at the personal invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in an online “talk show” event "Media Freedom as a Cornerstone of Democracy". Held in the framework of the second Summit for Democracy, the event started yesterday and featured a video message by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.

At today’s session, the Government adopted several proposals for amendments to the acts and approved a project to provide drinking water for Slovenian Istria and the Karst hinterland. It also adopted a reply to the interpellation on the work and responsibilities of the Government, in which it rejects in their entirety all the allegations made in the interpellation as unfounded.

State Secretary Marko Štucin met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Fatmire Isaki. They were pleased to note the intensive political dialogue and the very good relations between the two countries.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, hosted the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, in a working visit at Brdo pri Kranju. In the second meeting of the prime ministers in Slovenia, they talked about cooperation in the areas of energy, migration and economy. The two leaders agreed to sign a solidarity agreement on gas supply and also expressed their support for the construction of a second unit of the nuclear power plant in Krško.

Members of parliament have approved the bill on amendments and additions to the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act (amendment to the law).

On 28 March 2023, the President of the National Assembly, mag. Urška Klakočar Zupančič met with the President of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium, Eliane Tillieux.

At an EU Energy Council meeting, EU ministers discuss the reduction of gas consumption, changes in the electricity market and the green transition.

State Secretary for National and International Security Dr. Andrej Benedejčič paid a visit today in Bratislava to the Director of the Office of the Security Council of the Slovak Republic Mr. Pavel Franko.

State Secretary for National and International Security Andrej Benedejčič has met today with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană at NATO Headquarters.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob has received representatives of the Glas ljudstva (Voice of the People) network, who have informed him of their proposals for measures to reform the healthcare system.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Tiago Antunes, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their consultations focused on current European and international issues, and they also discussed bilateral cooperation.

On 20 March 2023, the Republic of Slovenia ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, becoming the 14th State Party to the Convention. The Convention will officially enter into force for Slovenia on 1 July 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob took part in the volunteer tree-planting campaign Rejuvenate Forests 2023, which took place near Renče in the Goriška Karst region.

Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan actively participated in the UN 2023 Water Conference, which took place in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023.

The adoption of the Scientific Research and Innovation Activities Act allows for more effective and consistent implementation of scientific research and innovation policy measures.

On the final day of the UN Water Conference, Minister Fajon participated in the roundtable entitled “Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade”. She also held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob attended the Euro Summit in Brussels, attended by ECB President Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe.

At today’s correspondence meeting, the Government agreed to the draft amendments to the proposed Act Amending the Foreigners Act. Under the Act Determining the Aid to the Economy to Mitigate the Consequences of the Energy Crisis, funds totalling almost €400 million will be allocated to the economy to mitigate the high prices of electricity, natural gas and process steam.

The University Medical Centre Maribor (UKC Maribor) hosted a presentation of a project to introduce the recycling of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 with the support of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. “In addition to innovation, the added value of this project is that it brings together the University of Maribor, the local medical centre and companies,” said Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development.

The new issue of the News from Nuclear Slovenia is published.

State Secretary Helga Dobrin attended the 3rd Danube Security Conference in Brussels. The conference focused on strengthening police cooperation in the Danube region in the areas of illegal migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings, protection of critical infrastructure and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.