News

Minister Tanja Fajon attended the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired for the last time by High Representative Josep Borrell. Ministers discussed the war in Ukraine, Georgia, EU-US relations, the situation in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Minister Fajon also briefed ministers on her recent visit to Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

On Friday, November 15, three decades after the initial promises and government decisions were made, the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia at Poljanska Street 40 in Ljubljana finally opened its much-needed new archival building, which is going to house all archival employees under one roof for the first time since 1990. This marks the end of an important chapter in the history of the Slovenian state archive, which next year will celebrate its 80th anniversary of operating as an independent institution.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the signing of the Agreement on the Salary System Reform and New Classifications of Positions and Titles into Salary Grades in the Public Sector, the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector, the Annex to the Collective Agreement for Non-commercial Activities in the Republic of Slovenia, as well as collective agreements or annexes to sectoral collective agreements and agreements harmonised as part of specific pillar negotiations.

To mark the publication of the book by Dr Ana Polak Petrič, Slovenian Ambassador in Berlin, and Dr Grega Pajnkihar, entitled Succession in International Law: Dissolution and Succession after Yugoslavia, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs held a symposium on this topic.

Slobodan Šešum, Director-General of the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy, took part in a panel discussion on the circular economy as part of the 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP).

15 November 2024 – The Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and representatives of the representative trade unions of the public sector today signed the key documents necessary for introducing the reformed public sector salary system on 1 January 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia organised an international expert event on the protection of nuclear facilities in armed conflicts to examine whether existing international legal norms and political commitments sufficiently address the issue of security and protection.

Slovenia concluded its second Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) with the 9th Annual Forum at Brdo pri Kranju. The priorities of Slovenia's Presidency of the Strategy, which provides a valuable platform for regional cooperation and the search for common solutions, were youth, water and the circular economy.

The European Commission has announced the selection of 27 chip competence centres in 24 Member States, including Slovenia. The centres will provide essential resources for the development of semiconductor and chip solutions, in particular for SMEs and start-ups.

At today’s session, the Government adopted three decrees seeking to cut the high electricity bills in the upcoming winter season and thus ease the transition to the new system of calculating network charges. The measures are aimed at enabling people to get through the winter calmly, without high electricity bills.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has decided to provide material aid in the form of food and sanitation items to the Palestinian civilian population affected by the war in Gaza, via Jordan.

At todays’ session, the Government adopted proposed new amendments to the Police Tasks and Powers Act and several measures to cut electricity bills in winter in order to ease the transition to the new system for calculating network charges. It also took note of the initialled documents relating to implementing the reform of the public sector pay system.

State Secretary Marko Štucin reaffirmed the good neighbourly relations during bilateral consultations with Nikolaus Marschik, Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, held in Bled. He expressed hope that Austria would continue to adopt measures to improve the situation of the Slovenian minority through close cooperation with the minority community.

On Thursday, 14 November 2024, a targeted and reinforced inspection of buses and heavy vehicles was carried out by the Police, the Labour Inspectorate, the Financial Administration, and the Infrastructure Inspectorate.

Below is the response of Prime Minister Robert Golob regarding recent events related to threats and violence against judges.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar today held a working meeting to discuss key foreign and domestic policy issues.

At the government committee meetings, the Government adopted, among others, the Amendments to the Business and Financial Plan of the Slovenian Regional Development Fund for 2024 and 2025.

State Secretary Marko Štucin visited Ukraine, engaging in discussions with representatives of the Ukrainian Government and visiting sites affected by the recent aggression. In Borodyanka and Moshchun, he witnessed the severe consequences of the conflict, while in Bucha, he paid tribute to the victims of Russian aggression at the memorial wall.

From 20 to 22 November 2024, on-line information days will be held in several languages for international students interested in studying in Slovenia. Full details and a registration link are available in the attachment.

From 11 to 22 November, the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Slovenian delegation will be led by Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer, who will participate in the ministerial negotiations to be held in the meeting’s second week.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Integrated care for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for improving health literacy and reducing health inequalities – Let's prevent CKD.

Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Science and Innovation Directorate 10 November marks World Science Day for Peace and Development, which highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended an informal summit of EU leaders in Budapest.

The Government Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Information Security (GISO) organized a workshop in Podgorica, bringing together cybersecurity experts from Western Balkan countries. The event, which took place on November 6 and 7, was hosted by the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C).

On Friday, November 15th, the archival reading room will be closed.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals to set up an advocacy organisation in the field of social economy.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending an informal summit of EU leaders in Budapest.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob welcomed the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob congratulated Marta Kos by phone on her successful hearing and confirmation as the new European Commissioner for Enlargement before the relevant committee of the European Parliament.

At today's session, the Government adopted an amendment to the Spatial Management Act, included 64 projects in the Development Programme Plan, approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the PALFINGER Group's investment in a new strategic production facility, and approved a third package of material aid for the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza.

The Recovery and Resilience Office informed the Government of the implementation of measures of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with regard to which the ministries record major substantive and temporal derogations. To optimise the implementation of the plan and subsequent drawing of available European funds, the Government ordered the Office to draft and harmonise the third proposed amendment to the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) on the basis of the ministries’ proposals for adjustment of the measures.

Tanja Fajon, Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, congratulated President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and all congressmen, governors and senators, including two of Slovenian origin, Amy Klobuchar and Paul Gosnar.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development organised the 2nd National Consultation on Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. The consultation took place at the Faculty of Public Administration. In his opening address, the Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, underlined Slovenia’s commitment to preserving the main principles of Cohesion Policy.

According to the Statistical Office, Slovenia last year exceeded its 2020 target of a 25% renewable energy share, as set out in the EU Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. For the first time, Slovenia will not incur a surcharge for meeting its renewable energy target through the statistical transfer mechanism.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Canberra is seeking expressions of interest in the role of Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia for New South Wales. The consular post operates under supervision, according to the instructions and with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Canberra. The Honorary Consul must be a resident of Sydney and will have jurisdiction throughout New South Wales. The position would be for a period of five years, commencing from the receipt of an exequatur from the Government of Australia.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob hosted the newly appointed President of the European Council, António Costa, for a working lunch.

Luxor is hosting an expert workshop on climate change, conflict and displacement, and migration in North-East Africa and the EU, in the framework of the so-called Khartoum Process, which serves as a platform for migration management. Bringing together African and European experts, the workshop is organised by Slovenia and Egypt and co-organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development.

Minister Matjaž Han is visiting Shanghai, China, with a high-powered business delegation. He attended political discussions and participated in business promotion events showcasing Slovenia’s investment environment, economy, tourism and opportunities for foreign investors.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is visiting Kenya as part of her Africa tour. This is the first Slovenian high-level visit to the country. She told her Kenyan counterpart that Slovenia is interested in establishing a non-residential diplomatic mission for Kenya from the Slovenian Embassy in Addis Ababa. She and the Trade Minister agreed to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

State Secretary Melita Gabrič received a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Serbian National Assembly, which is on an official visit to Slovenia. She expressed her condolences to her guests on the tragic accident at the Novi Sad railway station, which claimed many lives. They then discussed bilateral relations, EU enlargement and other topical international issues.

On Wednesday, 30 October, the National Assembly adopted the Resolution on the National Programme for Protection against Natural and Other Disasters 2024–2030.

Minister Tanja Fajon was the first Slovenian representative to visit Somalia, which has been struggling for decades with internal political challenges, a difficult humanitarian situation and the threat from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. She met with the Somali Prime Minister to discuss the situation in the country and the wider region, as well as the international peace support operations that are essential to building stability in Somalia.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met representatives of the African Union and the United Nations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and visited children at the Salesian Don Bosco Children centre.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon held a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Addis Ababa to discuss the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, which will be greatly facilitated by the opening of the new Slovenian embassy in Ethiopia. The Minister inaugurated the embassy together with her Ethiopian counterpart and the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms Kristina Radej.

In October, under the Swiss presidency of the UN Security Council, discussions were focused on Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine and Haiti. Two briefings were convened at Slovenia's request, one together with Algeria on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and another with the US on Ukraine. State Secretary Melita Gabrič took part in the open debate on women, peace and security.

Ambassador Iztok Mirošič hosted a working dinner at the residence for Ambassadors of the elected and incoming non-permanent members of the UN Security Council with Ambassador Michele Sison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.

My fellow Slovenians,

when we got our first two books in Slovenian in the mid-16th century, their author in all his visionary greatness could probably not imagine how important they would become for the Slovenian nation.

The Ministry welcomes the European Commission’s Enlargement Package, which provides assessments of the progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans, the Eastern trio and Turkey on their path towards the EU. The package contains a comprehensive analysis of each country's reform efforts and plays a key role in monitoring and promoting the countries' progress and strengthening their European perspective.

Ambassador Mirošič attended the Western Balkan Salon Roundtable Series with the Atlantic Council at the Embassy of Albania in the U.S.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, the Minister of Labour, Luka Mesec, and the Chief Inspector, Katja Čoh-Kragolnik, presented the Priority Response Sector, headed by Nina Kurnik Avbelj.

On 1 August 2024, the Safety and Health of Workers in Manual Handling of Loads Regulations entered into force, laying down the obligations of employers when assigning manual handling tasks.

The Slovenian Regional Development Fund (SRDF) has published the BIZI NOO call for proposals on its website. The purpose of the call for proposals is to promote initial sustainable projects for the development and competitiveness of enterprises in border problem areas which will have a positive impact on competitiveness, productivity and technological equipment, employment, environmental protection and the promotion of resource efficiency.

Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, chaired the eighth meeting of the Slovenian-Italian Ministerial Coordination Committee, together with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar has attended the eighth meeting of the Coordination Committee of Ministers between the Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic in Brdo pri Kranju. The Minister discussed the migration and security situation in the Western Balkans region with the Italian State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior Nicola Molteni.

On October 25, 2024, the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington organized the annual meeting of Honorary Consuls from the United States, the United Mexican States, and the Republic of Panama. This year’s keynote speakers were the Slovenian Minister of Finance, Klemen Boštjančič, and the Governor of the Bank of Slovenia, Boštjan Vasle.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs expresses profound concern over the recent adoption of a law by the Israeli Knesset that severs the Israeli authorities' engagement with the UNRWA and hinders the Agency’s activities across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the 9th UfM Regional Forum in Barcelona together with 43 foreign ministers and their deputies from the Euro-Mediterranean region. Thanks to its increased engagement in the UfM, Slovenia has been recognised as a very active and constructive member in recent years," said Minister Fajon.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 1 November 2024 in observance of the Day of Remembrance for the Dead.

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

During her participation in the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, State Secretary Melita Gabrič met with Palestinian Minister of Women's Affairs Mona Al-Khalili.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended a conference at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, to mark the 20th anniversary of EU enlargement. The conference was organised on the initiative of the ambassadors from ten countries (including Slovenia) that joined the EU 20 years ago, in cooperation with the University of Coimbra.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development (MKRR) will launch public calls for proposals in 2024. The calls will be implemented by the ministry on its own as well as through the Slovenian Regional Development Fund (SRRS) and the Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS) to offer both grants and repayable financial incentives to local communities and businesses in 2025.

The tenth Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention, hosted by Slovenia in Ljubljana and thus taking over the Presidency of the Convention Bureau, is coming to an end. The session was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Water Convention.

The National Assembly approved the law on the public sector pay system yesterday.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the ECoC GO!2025 project – Renovation of the Trg Evrope square.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security in New York, where she advocated for the greater inclusion of women in peace processes, enhanced funding for women's organisations at the local level and reinforced accountability for severe violations of the rights of women and girls in conflict zones.

24 October 2024 – The National Assembly today adopted the Common Foundations of the Public Sector Salary System Act (ZSTSPJS).

The tenth meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention in Ljubljana continues. Following yesterday's official opening and high-level discussion, today and tomorrow the Parties will focus on general topics, such as reviewing the implementation of the current work program and adopting a new one, decisions on the direction of the convention and elections to working bodies. We pay special attention to side events today.

At today's session, the Government took note of work being done ahead of the application to host a high-performance computer, i.e. an artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer, in order to set up an AI Factory. It also adopted the 2023 report on the management of Slovenia's public debt and amendments to the national detailed site plan for the second track of the Divača–Koper railway line.

At today's third meeting of the Monitoring Committee of Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027, the members of the Monitoring Committee and European Commission representatives discussed the progress made in Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 implementation and the amendments of the programme that will allow the establishment of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the Ambassador Iztok Mirošič, together with Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob, made a working visit to the White House at the invitation of the President of the United States, Joseph Biden.

The main event of the meeting was the high-level discussion "Our Waters, Our Future: Transboundary Water Cooperation to Strengthen Climate Resilience", which was attended by high-level representatives of countries – ministers, state secretaries and other representatives of governmental and non-governmental international organizations. At the end, the participants also adopted the joint conclusions of the high segment of the session.

As we celebrate the entry into force of the Charter of the United Nations on United Nations (UN) Day, we pay tribute to the world's most important international organisation.

On United Nations Day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, emphasises: “I believe that, despite the challenging crises, the UN remains the most important international organisation for maintaining global peace. Member States must seize the opportunity and responsibility to strengthen it and restore its standing.”

Prime Minister Robert Golob concludes his working visit to US President Biden.

The UN General Assembly Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs, which deals with human rights issues, is meeting in New York from 3 October 2024. Slovenia has traditionally focused its work on its priorities, such as the rights of women, the elderly and children, human rights and the environment, and the situation of human rights worldwide.

During the high-level segment discussion at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention, Minister Tanja Fajon emphasised: "Effective cooperation mechanisms help to reduce tensions and mitigate disputes. Climate change will not lead to tensions if all Parties view their cooperation as fair, equitable and mutually beneficial."

The tenth meeting of the parties to the Water Convention in Ljubljana has finally begun. The high-level international event, organized under the auspices of the United Nations by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, is attended by about 600 representatives from all over the world. On behalf of the hosts, Minister Jože Novak and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Ms. Tatiana Molcean addressed the audience.

Slovenia today received the transfer from the third payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility in the amount of EUR 257.7 million.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today paid a working visit to the United States at the invitation of the President of the United States, Joe Biden. This is the first working visit of a Slovenian Prime Minister to the President of the United States at the White House in 18 years.

The 12th Slovenian Development Days, held from 15 to 22 October 2024 under the theme "For a World Without Hunger", concluded with an international conference on food security and the 2nd Slovenian Humanitarian Forum. The Forum was opened by the President of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, and Minister Tanja Fajon participated in the panel on armed conflict and the food crisis.

Minister Jevšek was a keynote speaker at the panel discussion titled Improve Efficiency of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) Absorption Processes in Slovenia that took place in the framework of the 20th Salzburg Europe Summit. In his speech, the Minister underlined the importance of the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITIs) mechanism, which is an excellent example of a ‘place-based’ and ‘bottom-up’ approach.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the University Rehabilitation Institute Soča (URI Soča), where 10 children and adolescents from Gaza are undergoing rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony marking the start of construction work on the modernisation of the central part of Ljubljana's railway station.

At the initiative of Prime Minister Golob, a meeting was held today with representatives of the Slovenian automotive industry to discuss current trends and challenges facing this key economic sector.

On Monday, 21 October and Tuesday, 22 October 2024, the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed to all visitors and users of archival records due to the move to a new location. The archives reading room and information room will be closed during this time.
It is expected that on Wednesday, 23 October 2024, the archives and the archives reading room will open in their new premises at Poljanska cesta 40.

Today, the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Recovery and Resilience forwarded the second proposal to amend the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) together with all supporting documentation to Brussels. The Government approved the proposal to amend the RRP yesterday.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar hosted his colleague Minister of the Interior of Luxembourg Leon Gloden on a bilateral working visit.

More than 5,000 people in the worst-affected municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are still in need of humanitarian aid following the catastrophic floods and mudslides that hit the country in October. The Ministry and its strategic partner for emergency humanitarian aid, Caritas Slovenia, will provide EUR 100,000 in humanitarian aid over the next month.

On the second day of his official visit to Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the European Council meeting. The summit's agenda included Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, the escalating crisis in the Middle East, a review of the comprehensive approach to migration, the competitiveness of the European market, and specific foreign policy issues.

The Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 is taking place today and tomorrow in Lausanne under the auspices of the Swiss and Ukrainian governments. The event, opened by Swiss President Viola Amherd and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, brings together high-level representatives from governments, international organisations and experts from around the world to strengthen cooperation in humanitarian mine action.

At today’s session, the Government approved legislative amendments to increase the accessibility of payment accounts and the second proposal for amendments to the Recovery and Resilience Plan. It also took note of the initialled agreement on the Act on the Common Foundations of the Salary System in the Public Sector.

Today, the Government approved a proposal to amend the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). This is a minor modification focused on the implementation of six key measures. In accordance with the agreement with the European Commission (EC), the Slovenian Recovery and Resilience Office will submit the revised plan to Brussels by Monday, 21 October 2024, for formal coordination and approval.

The new academic year at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs was opened today by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, with a ceremonial lecture “Themes and dilemmas of Slovenian foreign policy”.

Please be advised that due to a planned data migration and systems upgrade, there will be disruption to our services from Thursday 17 October 2024 until Sunday 27 October 2024.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is today attending the first summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Prime Minister Robert Golob is today attending the first summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

This year's World Food Day - 16 October - is dedicated to food as a human right. Slovenia has chosen food security as the central theme of the 12th Slovenian Development Days, which take place between 15 and 22 October.

The closing event of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism programmes for the period 2014-2021 in Slovenia took place in Ljubljana. A total of 37.7 million euros was allocated to Slovenia under the two financial mechanisms during this period.

In Brussels, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended a ministerial dinner of foreign ministers on the margins of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.

On 14 October, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs welcomed representatives of institutions from Brazil, Chile and Uruguay working in the field of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI).