News

The Ministry of a Solidarity-Based Future continues to be successful in absorbing funds of the European Recovery and Resilience Plan for housing construction this year. The ministry made all the necessary preparations to ensure that the majority of the projects for constructing homes for the elderly could be co-funded by EU funds next year.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has published the Call for proposals Providing support for innovative ecosystems of economic and business infrastructure in 2025. The call for proposals aims to provide support for existing innovative ecosystems of economic and business infrastructure and for the transformation of degraded areas into economic and business infrastructure.

In the New Year every day is an opportunity to meet and learn about ourselves and each other through arts and culture. May we take heed in 2025 as we build new communities and care for existing ones.

At today's session, the Government approved the starting points for the residential property tax and tax relief on labour costs. It called for a revision of the methodology used to calculate network charges and requested the resignation of the members of the Energy Agency Council. The Government also began deliberations on the draft Mass Media Act and the proposed amendment to the Health Services Act.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. This was Ms Kos's first visit to Slovenia in her role as Commissioner for Enlargement and Reconstruction of Ukraine. The visit served as an opportunity to exchange views on one of the European Commission's key priorities: the enlargement of the European Union.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran will be closed on 25 December 2024, Christmas Day, as well as on 26 December 2024, Slovenia's Independence and Unity Day.

At a time when many employers are paying their employees Christmas bonuses or performance bonuses, the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia (IRSD) would like to draw your attention to the important case law of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia, in particular to the Decision VIII Ips 9/2024, adopted at its meeting on 20 August 2024.

The Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), Petra Bezjak Cirman, and the Director of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Mojca Prelesnik, signed the Contract for the public service of STA in 2025, both expressing their satisfaction that the smooth operation of STA will be guaranteed.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025.

Slovenia continues to see positive trends in the level of defence spending, both in nominal terms and as a share of gross domestic product (GDP).

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Dear citizens of the independent Republic of Slovenia, Slovenians at home and abroad, esteemed President of Slovenia, distinguished guests, Excellencies, dear friends, I am grateful and delighted to be able to share this festive moment with you.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued the Ordinance on the temporary reintroduction of controls on the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia with the Republic of Croatia and Hungary at its meeting on 18 December 2024. The ordinance enters into force on 22 December 2024, prolonging temporary controls on the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia with the Republic of Croatia and Hungary for another six months, up to and including 21 June 2025.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved additional funding for the Call for proposals for promoting investments in the economic restructuring of the Zasavska and Savinjsko-Šaleška coal regions. Additional funding comes from the Just Transition Fund 2024-2027 (JTF productive investments) and amounts to EUR 14,419,800.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Incentives for projects included in IPCEI EuBatln.

At the Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats in Brdo pri Kranju, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Igor Papič signed an agreement whereby Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts abroad will contribute to promoting the achievements of Slovenian science, innovation and research excellence.

Due to technical limitations, our consular unit and VFS Global will continue to provide limited services from December 13 until the end of the year. As a result, applications submitted during this period will have longer processing times.

The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Hungary have coordinated the transfer of funds into a joint development fund within the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) MURABA.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending a special European Council meeting in Brussels today. Yesterday, the EU–Western Balkans Summit was held, during which EU and Western Balkan leaders discussed the implementation of the Growth Facility, the region's progress towards the EU and common geopolitical challenges in a rapidly changing world.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Automatic subtitling of TV programmes.

On the first day of the 28th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted Slovenia’s new foreign policy strategy, which sets out the guidelines for achieving and implementing foreign policy goals. The new strategy is based on inclusiveness, responsibility, security, solidarity and knowledge, and is modern, transparent and long-term.

At today's session, the Government adopted a new foreign policy strategy and an amendment to the Labour and Social Security Registers Act, as well as updated the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. It also discussed an amendment to the Social Assistance Act and issued an amendment to the Decree on the compulsory health insurance service programme, capacities required to implement it and the amount of funding for services for 2024.

Prime Minister Golob: Slovenia's reputation in the international community further enhanced by hard work this year.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon inaugurated the 28th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju. In her address, the Minister highlighted Slovenia’s achievements in 2024, with a particular focus on the country’s role in the UN Security Council, the establishment of new diplomatic and consular missions to enhance partnerships, and the challenges anticipated for 2025..

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food has issued an open call to citizens, legal persons or other organisations for the identification of candidates for the 2025 Golden Bee Award. The call was approved last week at a meeting of the Golden Bee Award Committee, which was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in 2021 and chaired by the Minister Mateja Čalušić.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob congratulates the new president of the Constitutional court, Dr. Rok Čeferin.

The SIChain EIPS project that is part of the Important Project of Common European Interest – Next-Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS) demonstrates that Slovenians can also play a key role in Europe's digital breakthrough.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, where she, on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Spain, commended the Albanian government for the progress in the EU enlargement process achieved within a short timeframe. She underscored that this success represents an important step forward not only for Albania but also for the European Union as a whole. She welcomed Albania’s progress and the opening of negotiations on a new cluster.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, where Montenegro provisionally closed three negotiating chapters. Speaking on behalf of Slovenia, Austria and Italy, Minister Fajon commended Montenegro's progress on its European path, expressing hope that the country will sustain this momentum and become the next EU member state.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Ministers discussed continued support for Ukraine, the situation in Georgia and the Middle East, with a focus on Syria.

In the run-up to Christmas, Prime Minister Robert Golob visited residents of the Danica Vogrinec Nursing Home in Maribor and later met with the management of the Maribor Inter-Municipal Housing Fund.

On Thursday 19 December 2024, the Reading Room and the Information Room will be open until 12 noon.

On both Fridays, 27 December 2024 and 3 January 2025, the Archives will be closed for collective leave.

In the new episode of the government GOVSI podcast, hosted by Petra Bezjak Cirman, we delved into the world of statistics with guests Apolonija Oblak Flander, Director-General of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS), and Martin Bajželj, Head of the Data Publishing and Communication Sector. They discussed the importance of statistics for everyday decision-making, societal governance, and economic development.

At today's session, the Government adopted a proposal for an amendment to the Municipal Financing Act, which provides systemic solutions for covering additional costs of municipalities and a starting point for the preparation of legislative proposals on Roma issues. It also reviewed the List of Beneficiaries of the Eighth Set of Advance Payments for the Reconstruction of Housing Due to Floods and Landslides from August 2023.

Ljubljana, 12 December 2024 – The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals to co-finance integrated energy-saving renovation of municipality-owned buildings.

On December 10, 2024, the Ambassador hosted a reception for the Slovenian community in Washington on the occasion of the 34th Day of Slovenian Independence and Unity. Photographer Alenka Slavinec organized the opening of a photography exhibition about Lipizzaner horses, whose story is inseparably connected to Operation Cowboy, which enabled some of the horses to return to Lipica.

The delegation of Slovenia, comprising the Director-General for International Law, Dr Marko Rakovec, acting as agent, alongside legal representatives Prof. Dr Vasilka Sancin and Dr Daniel Müller, appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague during the hearing on the request for an advisory opinion regarding the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted for political consultations the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Megi Fino, who also met separately with State Secretary Melita Gabrič. All three expressed their satisfaction with the friendly relations between the two countries.

In December, construction work on the Slovenian Centre for Large Fires in the Natural Environment was completed in Sežana to facilitate a greater number of activities and firefighting training events. This is an investment in social and economic resilience to climate-related natural disasters in Slovenia – SLO SERCID.

Today, the Council of the European Union comprising finance ministers approved an amendment to Slovenia's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). This is a minor amendment, mainly relating to the method of implementing seven measures.

On the occasion of world Human Rights Day, Slovenia's foreign policy message – Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – reaffirms its commitment to promoting the respect for and protection of human rights, particularly within the framework of international organisations.

Slovenia has received the remainder and the bulk of the European Union Solidarity Fund aid intended for recovery and reconstruction following the devastating floods that hit the country in August 2023. The European Commission recently transferred an additional EUR 328.4 million to Slovenia's Ministry of Finance, topping up the EUR 100 million advance payment received at the end of last year.

During her visit to Podgorica, Minister Tanja Fajon officially opened the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre, an initiative of Slovenia, France and Montenegro. She also signed the new development cooperation programme between the Slovenian and Montenegrin governments and met with senior Montenegrin officials.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, is hosting a regional expert event in Ljubljana entitled “Women in Peace and Security Efforts – Perspectives from South-Eastern Europe and Ukraine”. The event was opened by State Secretary Melita Gabrič.

The first United Nations human rights treaty – the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – was adopted on 9 December 1948, one day before the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Robert Golob and his partner Tina Gaber attended the inauguration of the renovated Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris yesterday.

The Director of the Government Communication Office, Petra Bezjak Cirman, presented the challenges of identifying disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference, and the awareness-raising campaign Stop Disinformation: READ, THINK, CHECK, at the Strategic Communication in the Contemporary Security Environment training, which took place from 3 to 6 December at Jable Castle in Mengeš.

In recent days, a video with false and misleading claims about the possibility of entering Slovenia has garnered a lot of attention on the social network X.

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on 3 December, Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted representatives from the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS), the Sonček – Cerebral Palsy Association of Slovenia, the Altra Society, the Poglej Society and the YHD Association for Theory and Culture of Handicap.

The Minister of Education, Vinko Logaj, attends the grand opening of renovated and new premises of the Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Ljubljana. The renovation was funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and with integrated budget funds.

At the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon stressed the importance of this forum and the need to ensure the functioning of the OSCE, including stable funding. The main topic of discussion at the Malta meeting was Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

At today's session, the Government took a number of important decisions. Among other things, it finalised the text of the draft Act Determining Additional Intervention Measures to Ensure Accessibility in Healthcare and the text of the Act Amending the Pharmacy Practice Act, and adopted amendments to the Long-Term Care Act.

Today marks an important milestone with the signing of the founding charter of ZAŠKO – the cross-border sports coordination body. This important step brings us closer to the formal implementation and government approval of this initiative, which aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation through sport.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. The discussions focused on Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as on key strategic priorities as NATO marks its 75th anniversary this year. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs met and held their first consultations with the new Secretary General, Mark Rutte.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Vevče swimming centre project.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Development of prisoners’ competences.

At the Cairo Ministerial Conference, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon discussed the prospects for lasting solutions for Gaza and the Middle East as a whole with participants from more than 90 countries and international organisations.

Slovenian stakeholders are becoming key players in tapping the potential of the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3), a ground-breaking European initiative launched in 2022 by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).

In November, as the presidency of the UN Security Council was held by the United Kingdom, Slovenia co-sponsored two briefings, one on the denuclearisation of North Korea and the other on imminent famine in Gaza. State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, where he called for the Security Council to take more decisive action on the conflicts..

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Slovenia, organised a presentation for Slovenian companies on the possibilities of their participation in the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) projects. The aim of the event was to attract more Slovenian companies to participate in WBIF projects.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received in Ljubljana Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, and Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, as part of the second meeting of the so-called Trilateral.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations in Tashkent with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Muzaffarbek Anvarbekovich. The two officials reviewed bilateral cooperation and committed to strengthening economic cooperation, in line with the 2023 economic cooperation agreement.

To mark the Mediterranean Day, a round table discussion was organised in the atrium of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) under the title The Power of Journalism and Music as a Means of Intercultural Dialogue«. The event was enriched with the performance of the exceptional Syrian musician Rami Basisah, whose story was presented to the international audience by Slovenian journalist Boštjan Videmšek.

In the latest, 15th episode of the GOVSI podcast, the guest is the Chief Labor Inspector, Katja Čoh Kragolnik. Host Zoran Potič discussed pressing issues surrounding workers’ rights, legislation, and the practical role of the Labor Inspectorate with her.

At today’s session, the Government of Slovenia adopted a transitional law to enable a thoughtful and socially just coal exit in the Šaleška Valley. It also determined proposals for the Passport Act and amendments to the laws on identity cards, banking, the central register of insured persons and beneficiaries of mandatory pension and disability insurance rights, and confirmed amendments to the Reconstruction Act.

The meeting of the General Affairs Council dedicated to cohesion policy was held ahead of the start of the mandate of the new European Commission. The ministers discussed ways to strengthen the key assets of cohesion policy. The Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek underscored the importance of cohesion policy for an integrated and sustainable development and success of the European Union.

On 25 and 26 November 2024, we hosted the international conference Geographical Indications and Collective Marks: Tradition, Quality, and Identity for Sustainable Competitiveness at Congress Centre Brdo.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has launched a call for proposals to support the inclusion of graduates in business development projects in border problem areas. The aim of the call for proposals is to promote the employment of graduates in companies operating in border problem areas.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob attended the Slovenian Economic Summit, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

In Astana, State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko, focusing on the strengthening of bilateral relations and current foreign policy issues. He also met with Slovenians living and working in Kazakhstan.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič attended the 10th MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome. The conference is one of the main platforms for high-level dialogue on topical issues in the Mediterranean, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and beyond.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob, upon the confirmation of the new European Commission and the election of Marta Kos as European Commissioner, stated:

Today, the European Commission has presented the first European Semester Autumn Package under the new economic governance framework. The revised fiscal rules focus on medium-term fiscal-structural plans over a four-year period and set a growth target for net expenditure. The Commission has assessed Slovenia's plan as being in line with the new rules.

At its committee meetings, the Government approved amendments to the proposed changes to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Act, and the Payment Services, Services for Issuing Electronic Money and Payment Systems Act.

The Embassy of Slovenia in Tirana will be closed on 28 November 2024, on the occasion of the National Flag and Independence Day of Albania.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, is undertaking an official visit to Portugal today and tomorrow. Following her meeting with her host, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, the two ministers attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Slovenian and Portuguese investment promotion agencies, aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

The National Council of the Republic of Slovenia hosted a consultation on the just transition of coal regions that was held at the request of mayors and members of the National Council Peter Dermol and Matjaž Švagan. The consultation focused on social accountability, long-term support, and redirection of local economic development efforts that will enable coal regions to transition away from fossil fuels in an orderly and just manner and promote further growth towards sustainable future.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Establishment of a development office for cultural and arts education.

The two-day international conference "Geographical Indications and Collective Marks: tradition, quality and identity for sustainable competitiveness" opened today at Brdo pri Kranju. The event brings together experts and representatives of institutions from Slovenia and abroad to discuss the importance of these rights for tourism, gastronomy and economic development.

At the United Nations Climate Conference in Baku, representatives of the countries today, in the early morning hours, reached a new agreement. According to this agreement rich countries, including Slovenia, will provide at least USD 300 billion in climate assistance to developing countries every year from 2025 to 2035.

The Minister of Education, Vinko Logaj, attends the grand opening of a new gym at Gimnazija Šiška, general upper secondary school, in Ljubljana.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the JTC Training project aimed at improving the competences and skills of judicial staff. The project, worth 1.4 million euros, will receive 825,000 euros of European Social Fund Plus support.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Development of teachers’ and school leaders’ competences for running innovative educational institutions in the 2024-2028 period. The project is worth €3.5 million and will receive €2.2 million support from the European Social Fund Plus.

The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, the so-called Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals mainly with human rights issues, has concluded its session in New York. During its session, which began on 3 October, the Committee again addressed a wide range of thematic issues and human rights situations around the world.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon visited London at the invitation of Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Lammy. Slovenia and the United Kingdom are allies and partners who share democratic values and enjoy excellent cooperation, including in the UN Security Council.

The 6th Latin America and the Caribbean Days international conference (LAC Days), organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs under the auspices of the Bled Strategic Forum since 2018, concluded with a panel discussion entitled The Role of Latin America and the Caribbean in the New Geopolitical Reality.

At today's session, the Government adopted several regulations on the classification of jobs into salary grades as a result of the adopted salary reform, and the Decree Implementing Regulation (EU) on the establishment of a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). The Government also took note of extended controls at the internal Schengen border with Croatia and Hungary.

The American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF) organized a scientific symposium in San Francisco on Slovenian scientific and technological achievements in the field of space, followed by a gala dinner marking ASEF's 10th anniversary. Ambassador Iztok Mirošič addressed the participants via video message.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Bled Strategic Forum, is organising the 6th Latin American and Caribbean Days international conference (LAC Days) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 20-21 November 2024. This year's conference focuses on strengthening political, economic, scientific and cultural ties, and on addressing global challenges through more effective multilateralism.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), which brings together 16 Member States from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.

The European Commission today welcomed the second proposal to amend of the Slovenian Recovery and Resilience Plan. The amendment to the plan also needs to be approved by the Council of the European Union.

On the occasion of World Children's Day, Prime Minister Robert Golob received Ava Planinc and Izabela Rosc, the Junior Ambassadors of UNICEF Slovenia.

Librarians first celebrated the Day of Public Libraries in 2002. Each year, it is accompanied by Public Library Week, which this year is being celebrated in libraries from November 18 to 22. The slogan for this year's celebration is "(Let's) Gather in the Library."

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the regular General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. The meeting focused on preparations for the December European Council and the dialogue on the rule of law. At the informal working lunch, ministers exchanged views on the role of cohesion policy in enhancing the competitiveness of the EU.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with the wife of the President of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko. The meeting took place on the day when Ukraine marks a grim milestone of 1000 days since Russia has started its war of aggression against Ukraine.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič met with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko. They focused on Slovenia’s continued support for Ukraine, cooperation in the framework of humanitarian and development assistance, economic cooperation and reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, visited the Slovenian community in Vienna. He met with Slovenian societies at the Korotan Student Residence and Hotel, where the main focus was on the establishment’s operation after Slovenia’s recent capital increase aimed at securing the future of this symbol of Slovenian identity in Vienna.

As part of the European Week of Waste Reduction (18–24 November 2024), the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of the Republic of Slovenia highlights the importance of responsible food management.

Yesterday, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended high-level meetings on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council. On behalf of Slovenia, he called for more decisive action by the Security Council and respect for international and human rights law.

Ambassador Mirošič, together with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for European Perspective, hosted a reception as part of the seminar and study tour of the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange in Washington.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the Evening of the Stars, the closing event at which the Slovenian Cycling Federation presented awards to the best female and male cyclists of 2024.